A new team of Special Constables has been launched by Nottinghamshire Police to help with reducing burglaries.
The volunteer officers, who have the same powers of arrest and wear the same uniform as regular officers, are supporting the work of the Force’s City and County Burglary Teams which have been in operation since last April.
The new Burglary Enforcement Specials Team (BEST) will carry out patrols in hot-spot areas for burglaries, as well as offering security advice acting upon intelligence to disrupt potential residential burglaries.
Detective Chief Inspector Kevin Broadhead, Nottinghamshire Police’s Lead for Burglary, said: “Our Specials are an important asset and make a real difference in supporting regular officers and reducing incidents of crime and disorder in our communities.
"They’ve performed some exceptional work in supporting operations in other areas of business for the Force and now this newly formed team will be focused on helping us tackle and further reduce burglary in the city and county. They will be targeted at areas most in need, especially during our busier times."
According to information provided by Nottinghamshire Police, burglary levels have fallen since the force introduced new burglary teams in April 2018.
A spokesman for the force said it now plans to build on this success with the addition of extra officers and use of new tactics.
Specials Sergeant Zoe Darrall, of the Burglary Enforcement Specials Team, added: “The officers involved in this new Specials Team will be dedicating their free time to pro-actively support the work of our burglary teams and neighbourhood policing teams, building on the force’s success in reducing burglary in our communities.
"Specials spend a minimum of four hours a week in supporting their police colleagues in tackling crime and their professionalism, skills, variety of experience and selfless commitment has already proved their worth to the force in numerous areas of work.
"I'm sure the time and commitment they will be giving to our burglary teams will only serve to further reduce incidents of burglary across our communities and provide extra reassurance to the people of Nottinghamshire that we remain committed to tackling, reducing and preventing burglary and to bringing offenders to justice."
So far this financial year (April 1 to October 16) burglary overall has reduced across Nottinghamshire by 5.4 per cent - equating to 235 fewer offences - compared with the same period in 2018.
Temporary Superintendent Suk Verma, head of Citizens in Policing, said: "It’s fantastic to see the Specials Burglary Team up and running and I’m confident they’ll make a real difference in supporting our burglary teams.
"I’m extremely proud and appreciative of the time, effort and exceptional commitment our Special Constables dedicate to the Force on a day-to-day basis to support policing and help keep our communities safe.
"From being the first responders to a report of crime through to conducting investigations, making arrests and supporting victims, I’m always amazed when I see the real difference that they make as a volunteer workforce.
"I would like to thank all of our Special Constables for their ongoing support to Nottinghamshire Police and, more importantly, members of the public."
