Community Engagement and Visibility Take Center Stage in Latest Rutland Police Updates
Rutland’s dedicated neighbourhood policing team has been out in force recently, balancing lighthearted community policing at local food festivals with targeted action against anti-social behavior and a renewed commitment to rural foot patrols.
Recent updates from officers across the county highlight a strong emphasis on visibility, public interaction, and tackling local concerns head-on.
Officers kicked off the updates with a tongue-in-cheek review of the recent Rutland Food and Drink Festival in Oakham Town Centre. PC 971 Gill reported a peaceful and well-attended event, noting humorously that there were "no instances of ASB near the pizza stand" and "no crime reports to take next to the hotdogs."
Joking aside, the event served as a valuable opportunity for community outreach, allowing officers to chat with residents about local policing priorities. PC Gill also confirmed that increased high-visibility patrols and business visits in the town center are set to continue.
Meanwhile, in Uppingham, PC 4138 Stott reported a busy foot patrol catching up with residents and business owners. Addressing lingering community concerns regarding anti-social behavior and drug-related issues during the evenings, police announced plans for additional high-visibility evening patrols over the coming weeks to reassure locals and deter criminal activity.
Residents are encouraged to continue reporting suspicious activity or community concerns to help officers direct their resources effectively.
A common question fielded by officers “Why are police walking around our rural villages that see very little crime?”—was answered directly by PCSO Beth.
Emphasising that the force cares deeply about every town and village in the county, PCSO Beth explained that proactive foot patrols are not always a reaction to crime, but rather a vital tool to:
Get to know the local community personally
Provide reassurance to residents
Gather crucial local intelligence
Police urge anyone who spots an officer on patrol to stop, raise any concerns, or simply say hello.
New Face on the Oakham and Barleythorpe Beat
Rutland’s neighbourhood team is also welcoming a familiar face to a new role. PC Gill has transitioned to cover the Oakham and Barleythorpe beat, bringing previous experience from Melton.
The local priorities for this beat focus heavily on three core areas:
Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB): Working alongside the local authority to tackle neighbour disputes, town centre issues, and excessively loud vehicles.
Drugs: Continuing proactive stop-searches and high-value investigations based on first-hand experience.
Road Safety: Addressing community concerns and working to prevent serious traffic incidents.
PC Gill is encouraging locals to reach out with feedback on how to tackle these specific priorities as they settle into the new beat.
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For more local news, community updates, and what's on in the area, visit: https://www.oakhamandrutlandnews.com/
Including Market Place, Market Street, Church Street, Crown Walk,
John Street, Melton Road and Deans Street and Gaol Street.
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