Appointment System For Cambs Police

14 January 2011, 14:11 | Updated: 14 January 2011, 14:21

Victims of "non-emergency" crimes in Cambridgeshire are now being asked to book an appointment to see a police officer.

The system will work similar to booking a doctor's appointment.

It's to give officers more time to patrol streets in Cambridgeshire's villages, towns and cities.

When someone is reports a crime that doesn't need a police presence immediately, they will be asked to book an hour-long appointment at either Histon, Thorpe Wood, March or Huntingdon Police Station.

It's hoped the system will be more convenient to residents too, so they're not waiting around for a police officer to visit.

The new system is also understood to save money on the existing one, where officers have visited every victim of crime at their home after a non-emergency incident has been reported.

Deputy Chief Constable John Feavyour said: "By giving victims an allotted time and place to go, officers will have more time to focus on emergency and very serious issues and free-up more officer time for investigative work and proactive policing.

People have busy lives and this service will provide flexibility, with appointments from 8am to 8pm seven days a week.

The initiative will bring the police more into line with other services, such as doctors' surgeries, and as with the health service our emergency response will be there when required."