Shildon Police have issued a statement to help clarify any public misunderstandings following some confusion they have had from members of the public about the different roles of the Neighbourhood Police Team (NPT) and Response Team.
“We wanted to take a moment to explain the difference,” said the NPT in a statement on their Facebook page.
This was also raised during our recent PACT meeting, so we thought it would be useful to provide some clarification.
Neighbourhood Police Team (NPT)
- Our Neighbourhood Police Team focuses on long-term problem solving, prevention and working closely with our communities. Their responsibilities include:
- Working with residents, businesses, schools and partner agencies to identify and tackle local issues.
- Responding to community concerns and priorities raised through PACT meetings and other engagement.
- Carrying out targeted and high-visibility patrols in areas experiencing ongoing problems.
- Tackling anti-social behaviour and other recurring community issues.
- Gathering intelligence and identifying longer-term solutions to local problems.
- Working with partner agencies to address issues and support vulnerable members of our community.
- Engaging with residents and businesses to provide reassurance, crime prevention advice and updates.
Response Team
Our Response Team provides 24/7 policing and responds to emergency and urgent incidents where an immediate police presence is required. Their responsibilities include:
- Responding to emergency and urgent calls.
- Attending incidents where there is an immediate risk to people or property.
- Dealing with crimes in progress and other time-critical incidents.
- Arresting offenders and taking immediate action where appropriate.
- Preserving evidence and dealing with incidents that require an immediate response.
- Supporting other policing teams when required.
Both teams play an equally important role and work closely together. Information and intelligence are shared between teams to ensure incidents and ongoing issues are dealt with by the most appropriate officers.
Want to Know Who Your Officers Are?
Durham Constabulary now has named officers for every neighbourhood. You can visit the Durham Constabulary website, enter your postcode or address, and find your local Neighbourhood Policing Team, including your relevant Police Constables (PCs) and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs).
Find your local officers at https://www.durham.police.uk/area/your-area/.
We hope this helps clear up some of the confusion. If you have concerns about issues affecting your community, please continue to raise them with us through PACT meetings and our local engagement activity.
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
