Billericay Town Council's First Community Special Starts his patrol
Published: 16 July 2019
Billericay Town Council is pleased to be funding its own volunteer police officers as part of Essex Police’s Community Specials scheme. The first special signed up for the scheme is Special Inspector Thom Simons.
Under the scheme, the Town council funds the expenses of volunteer police officers who will be solely designated to the Billericay area.
At the launch event on Tuesday 16th July 2019, the event was attended by representatives from Essex Police including Derek Hopkins, Deputy Chief Officer, Sarah Wright, Sepcials Development Manager, Maria Rawlings, South Specials Co ordinator, Les Hawkins, Specials Supported Policing Co ordinator. They were joined by Cllr Devlin, Cllr Adshead, Cllr Roessler, Cllr J Clark, Cllr Talboys, Cllr Dear, Cllr Roberts, Cllr Hurlock and Cllr Talbot from Billericay Town Council to officially launch the scheme.
Thom will volunteer a minimum of 16 hours each month in Billericay to target and disrupt anti-social behaviour, respond to community concerns and carry out high visibility foot patrols in the town. The Specials have the same full policing powers and uniform as regular police officers
.
Billericay Town Council will fund expenses that the Specials require to carry out their duties in the town and the scheme will form part of the council’s plans to continue to keep the town area safe. We are still recruiting for another Community Special to join the scheme soon, and applicants can apply via Essex Police's website:
www.essex.police.uk/specials/billericaySuperintendent Cat Barrie, lead for the Special Constabulary said: “We’re delighted that Billericay Town Council has decided to work in partnership with us to increase the visible presence of police officers in the town. Dedicated Special Constables will bring something a little extra that will help deal with some of the really local issues. We’d love to see more people from the town put themselves forward to join up and support the policing in this vibrant part of the borough.”
Town Council Chairman, Jim Devlin said: “Billericay Town Council is pleased to be able to support this scheme in our area and see the volunteer police officers helping to protect our community. “It is something we have been working with Essex Police towards and are pleased to say we’ve made it happen. We are actively promoting the volunteer scheme and look forward to having up to two Specials joining us.”
Jane Gardiner, the Deputy Essex Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, said: “We know that safe and secure communities are the bedrock on which we build wellbeing and prosperity for all. This initiative is a great example of how by working together with local Town and town councils we can help communities keep safe.
“These fully warranted roles will also provide local people with the opportunity to make a huge contribution to the communities in which they live. It’s really positive that Billericay Town Council has taken up this opportunity and I’m looking forward to seeing it work in action. The public wants more local, visible and accessible policing and this will make a big difference to the people of Billericay.”
Community Specials are committed to policing the area that pays for them. However where a critical incident occurs, for example a terrorist attack, the Community Special may be called on to help in another area of the county.