AS THE Merseyside model of neighbourhood policing is completed around the country, Gordon Brown has sent this message to Daily Post readers:

“FROM today, every community in England and Wales will have its own neighbourhood policing team. Working with the police, we are determined to address local priorities, improve public confidence and make neighbourhoods safer.

“We know people want more say about their community and a visible and accessible police service that deals with local problems and anti-social behaviour. While crime is falling, too many people have a real fear about their communities and feel detached from their police service.

“Neighbourhood policing is about giving local people power over how their streets are policed.Š It is a major step towards a new kind of policing, one in which the citizen has real influence and a role to play in securing the streets and holding the police to account.

“A new police pledge to local citizens will set out what the neighbourhood teams will do in each area. There will also be a new website where anyone can find the contact details for their local neighbourhood policing team.

“Established teams such as in St Helens are already making excellent progress by tackling local people’s priorities. Since 2006, Merseyside Police has operated dedicated neighbourhood teams with dedicated officers who only work within their particular neighbourhood, focusing on core community policing. These dedicated officers work closely alongside the community to ensure that policing is directed to the issues that really matter to the public in that area.

“I want to pay tribute to police in those areas delivering successful neighbourhood policing services, and from today I want to ensure that every individual in every community has access to the best neighbourhood policing.

“Every one of us, no matter where we live, deserves a life free from crime and free from the fear of crime. That is our aim and one that we can only achieve by working together.”