"Neighbourhood Policing was introduced after it became apparent that despite a drop in overall crime every year since 1997, the perception and fear of crime in communities was still in abundance.

Neighbourhood Policing Teams (NPT's) serve to improve confidence in such communities by ensuring that their neighbourhoods are not only safe but also feel safer.

NPT's consist primarily of dedicated Police Officers and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) who are assigned to a particular beat area.

Local NPTs also work in partnership with other agencies to address community issues where needed.

Neighbourhood Policing has reintroduced the old concept of the "bobby on the beat" with NPT officers being able to conduct daily high visibility foot patrols in their beat areas, engaging with and interacting with the local community once again.

This is leading to increased trust and confidence towards the police, as well as increased feelings of security amongst communities.

Reduction of crime and anti-social behaviour (ASB) is also achieved as police, partner agenices and local communities work together in problem solving and intelligence gathering.

In each area the team regularly consults with the local community, through public meetings, open surgeries, or suggestion boxes that are going up in the more isolated villages. Panels of local people from all walks of life have either been set up or are being set up and select key issues for the Police and their partners to tackle. These have ranged from dealing with dog mess in the streets and speeding motorists outside schools to tackling drugs use. Issues are suggested and selected by the community.

Also there is a Dyfed-Powys Police non-emergency number to report such problems to at other times. The number is: 0845 330 2000. Obviously 999 should still be used in all emergencies.

Local NPT Teams:

Covering all of Mid Ceredigion are Inspector Calvin Griffiths and Sergeant Alison Rees.

Lampeter: PC Jo Grey and PCSO Ryan Jones.

Tregaron: PC Richard Marshall and PCSO Ryan Jones.

Aberaeron & New Quay: PC Gary Jenkins and PCSO Trish Smith."

Article written by Richard Marshall of Tregaron Police.