new police chief vows to keep patrols

A big restructure in September sees Battle become the main hub in the Rye area for response teams.

But Chief Inspector Botting was quick to point out that although officers may log on in Battle they will still be actively patrolling the Rye area.

And he stressed Rye’s successful Neighbourhood Policing Team will be unaffected.

The team has been responsible for a number of high profile arrests and operations aimed at curbing speeding and anti-social behaviour.

Chief Inspector Botting plans to lead from the front and say he will be getting involved to support officers in local initiatives.

Speaking to the Rye Observer this week he said: “Response teams will still be patrolling Rye, they will not be sitting at Battle waiting for a call..

“There are a number of units within the force that can respond in an emergency including dog teams and fire-arms.

“Neighbourhood policing will stay as it is. Localism is an important part of our ethos.

“A lot of thought has gone into the restructure and some changes will increase efficiency.

“For a small district we have a very resilient C.I.D and a new Response Investigation Team will see less paperwork and speed up response times.

“We listen to the concerns of residents and local initiatives have worked well, such as installing cameras in The Mint to monitor any anti-social behaviour.

“Rye is a safe place to live and visit and I want to ensure it stays that way.

“I want to be visible to my team and to local people.”

Commenting on September’s changes, Chief Inspector Botting said: “The change will only effect where response officers start and finish their shift.

“After booking in at their base station and receiving a short formal briefing from their supervisor, they will be tasked to go out in the community for the rest of their shift. This new model will allow them to continue to attend emergency and priority calls but will have less paperwork and so they will be back out into the community more quickly..

“I am pleased that there will be three Response Investigation Teams across East Sussex. RITs are operational officers and are not desk-bound but will also go out and interview victims, witnesses and suspects.

“This is an opportunity to provide a high quality crime investigation service to victims. It will reduce duplication and bureaucracy and the number of days it takes to investigate crime and will increase efficiency .

“A review of police station opening hours, formal consultation with our staff and public consultation identified more efficient ways for Sussex Police to provide a front office provision for members of the public. A key point is the police station is not shut and officers are available to see members of the public by appointment or when they are available.

“The Force has a target of £52 million to save by 2015; altering the hours that front offices are open is just one way in which the force can save money and as it makes sense to reduce them at stations which receive low numbers of visitors.

In an emergency, or when the front office is closed, the public will always be able to contact us quickly either through 999 or the non emergency number, 0845 60 70 999. We have one of the best records of all forces in the country at answering these calls quickly, and attending emergency calls within the 15 minute target.”