Post offices take on crime role

NORFOLK POLICE have launched a six-month pilot scheme to see if rural post offices can be used as locations where the public can report minor crimes.
Post offices in eight towns and villages are to offer a range of services normally available at public counters in police stations, reports The Daily Telegraph.
This will include the recording of minor crimes, the presentation of driving documents and message taking for local community officers.
Staff employed in the post offices have all been trained by the police.
The paper reports that the Norfolk force has one of the lowest ratios of police officers to population and it hopes that the post office link-up will enhance its current services.
“This is an innovative project which we hope will be warmly welcomed by local communities,” said project manager, Inspector Paul Wade.
“It is hoped the proposal will bring benefits to all involved – the police, the Post Office and, most importantly, local people.”
Norfolk Police has stressed that the scheme is not designed to replace any existing stations.