New vehicle helping police get more support to communities

A new community vehicle is helping police officers get advice and support to more places across the county.

The Street Engagement Vehicle (SEV) is the latest method to allow PCSOs to connect with their communities and share crime prevention information.

Each Local Policing Area will have access to SEV for a two-month period and will be staffed by PCSOs and officers. It is kitted out with leaflets, posters, and information on crime prevention advice and support, and there is a space for members of the public to sit and speak to officers.

PCSOs Janine Diamond and Tracy Garcia-Cote, from the Forest Neighbourhood Policing Team, were the first to take SEV to the roads last week, visiting villages and towns across the area.

Inspector Nick Cook said: “This is a fantastic way in which we can increase contact with the public and help to meet their needs.

“The beauty of SEV is that, as the name suggests, we will be able to get into residential streets and businesses too.

“Our other two vehicles - NEV (Neighbourhood Engagement Vehicle) and CEV (Community Engagement Vehicle) - are larger units that tend to visit towns and villages for a whole day to engage with communities. SEV is more mobile so we will be able to travel to more than one location in a day.”

Nick Evans, Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “As we strengthen the Constabulary with more officers and staff, we want those new officers to be visible on the streets of Gloucestershire. That’s why I’m thrilled to see the new Street Engagement Vehicle joining the fleet, so that Officers can get into the many smaller, more remote villages and communities where our larger vehicles can struggle.

“This is another way we’re delivering on our priority to create safer communities, by making it easier for our officers to be more approachable, particularly in rural areas. I’m very much looking forward to jumping on board myself in the coming weeks and joining the teams as they stop in communities around the county.”