Two on the trot for Police
Submitted: 05/08/2004 Surrey Police News
Proud to have sponsored Surrey Police
Two on the trot for Surrey Police
Submitted: 05/08/2004 Surrey Police News10:09:35
Two officers were once again patrolling the Preston Estate in Tadworth on horseback last Thursday evening (29 July).
The horse patrols are set to become a regular sight over the summer months thanks to sponsorship from the Rubbing House restaurant on Epsom Downs. The Surrey Police mounted division is usually only called into action for big events like the Epsom Derby and hunts when horses are hired from private stables. But the horses were such a popular sight when they patrolled the estate recently that the Rubbing House has decided to continue their sponsorship.
DS Jackie Elkins and PC Sam Pratt patrolled the estate for three hours between 4pm and 7pm to give a high visibility police presence as well as providing a great opportunity to talk and listen to local people. The officers then moved on to the Epsom Downs Racecourse to help police a race meeting that was being held that evening.
DS Elkins said:
“Once again our patrols on horseback received a great reception from local residents on the estate. Over the summer months, particularly during the school holidays, it is quite common for groups of youths to gather in the area. More often than not they aren’t causing any trouble but many residents can find it intimidating. The highly visible police presence we provide whilst on the horses hopefully helps to give them extra reassurance. The horses are also a great way of helping us to talk with youths as they make us more approachable. We usually find that they are far more interested in stroking the horses than they ever were in causing any trouble.
“We are looking forward to carrying out more patrols like this over the course of the summer and I’d like to again thank the Rubbing House for making it possible. The whole exercise is an excellent demonstration of how we can work with our partners in the community to extend even further the amount of contact members of the public have with police.”
The Preston Estate was chosen as one of eleven trial areas from across Surrey at the end of last year for a reassurance project to get the local community more involved in policing in their local community and to reduce the fear of crime in the area. This latest initiative is part of Surrey Police’s ongoing commitment to providing a visible police presence in the area.
DS Jackie Elkins and PC Sam Pratt talk to some local residents
DS Jackie Elkins and PC Sam Pratt patrolled the estate for three hours between 4pm and 7pm to give a high visibility police presence as well as providing a great opportunity to talk and listen to local people. The officers then moved on to the Epsom Downs Racecourse to help police a race meeting that was being held that evening.
DS Elkins said: “Once again our patrols on horseback received a great reception from local residents on the estate. Over the summer months, particularly during the school holidays, it is quite common for groups of youths to gather in the area. More often than not they aren’t causing any trouble but many residents can find it intimidating. The highly visible police presence we provide whilst on the horses hopefully helps to give them extra reassurance. The horses are also a great way of helping us to talk with youths as they make us more approachable. We usually find that they are far more interested in stroking the horses than they ever were in causing any trouble. “We are looking forward to carrying out more patrols like this over the course of the summer and I’d like to again thank the Rubbing House for making it possible. The whole exercise is an excellent demonstration of how we can work with our partners in the community to extend even further the amount of contact members of the public have with police.” The Preston Estate was chosen as one of eleven trial areas from across Surrey at the end of last year for a reassurance project to get the local community more involved in policing in their local community and to reduce the fear of crime in the area. This latest initiative is part of Surrey Police’s ongoing commitment to providing a visible police presence in the area.