HE has appeared in blockbuster movies and travelled the world, but yesterday Suffolk-based actor Bernard Hill gave a ringing endorsement to an initiative which promotes grassroots policing and encourages people to get in touch with the local bobby.

HE has appeared in blockbuster movies and travelled the world, but yesterday Suffolk-based actor Bernard Hill gave a ringing endorsement to an initiative which promotes grassroots policing and encourages people to get in touch with the local bobby.

Mr Hill was in Southwold to mark the extension of a pioneering scheme which sees the pictures and contact details of police officers put on key rings and distributed around the community.

The initiative was launched in Suffolk in April by crime reduction officer Steve Barrett and has since been adopted by seven other forces and received the endorsement of Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Mr Hill, who lives in Bungay and is well-known for his roles as King Theoden in Lord of the Rings, the captain in Titanic and Yosser in the television series Boys from the Blackstuff, said: “There seems to be a need to integrate the community with the police more and more.

“Society seems to be fracturing into different camps and as far as I'm concerned it is a wonderful initiative and this is a great opportunity to show that this kind of idea can work.”

Mr Hill was joined by children from Southwold and Reydon primary schools at yesterday's launch of new key rings bearing the details of PC Mike Gard, who patrols the two areas.

The latest key rings have been funded thanks to a donation from Stephen Bournes, the owner of Southwold Pier.