Security guards poser for second village

A SECOND Suffolk village is still considering introducing private security guards to stamp out vandalism despite being promised extra police officers to patrol its streets.

Despite the reassurance of a higher police presence, officials in Long Melford said they are considering following neighbouring parish Glemsford which has became the first in the county to hire the guards.

During a trial period between February and April, crime levels have dropped by a quarter in Glemsford, and the parish council is now extending their contract with the security firm until July.

Councillors from both Long Melford and Glemsford met with new Sudbury police sector commander Insp Louisa Pepper this week and were told two new police officers would soon be introduced to the area within four weeks.

Mrs Pepper said the officers would be using a new approach to make them more visible in the villages that they will patrol.

She said: "We are bringing in extra officers to cover the Glemsford and Long Melford areas, which will make them more visible on the streets. Also the two officers will only be covering nine parishes, where as before one officer covered 16.

"I am sure this will help solve the problems these villages have encountered. We are keen to keep working in partnership with the parish councils to keep crime low."

Councillors in Long Melford remain unconvinced by the pledge and are still considering introducing a private security firm if the rowdy behaviour and mindless vandalism that has plagued the parish in recent years is not tackled.

Parish and county councillor Richard Kemp: "During the meeting we were told that we would get two new officers and there would have a higher profile in the villages than before.

"With all due respect we have heard all these promises before so we remain cautious. The problem is all down to visibility, if there are policeman around the vandals don't do things and the residents feel more secure.

"We have become increasingly concerned about the amount of vandalism in the village and we have been impressed by what has happened in Glemsford. "We will monitor the situation to see if the new police officers make a difference, but we are certainly still considering bringing in our own guards. "We need to go back to square one like in the old days when we had someone here on a permanent basis."

The Sudbury police sector is also a getting a third new officer, who will be deployed in the Great Cornard area, which will double the police presence in the village.