Published: Tuesday, 30th June, 2009 2:08pm

Police Surgeries Will Build Community Relationships

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POLICE surgeries will be taking place in Kirkconnel and Kelloholm in a bid to improve relationships.

The surgeries, part of improving police visibility and community engagement, will give members of the public the chance to speak to community police officers about any issues or concerns they have, or areas where they think the police can assist. Crime prevention advice will also be provided and officers will take the opportunity to promote and discuss schemes such as the Neighbourhood Watch and Nominated Neighbour Scheme.

The surgeries will initially run over a period of three months and will be held on a fortnightly basis between 2pm and 4pm.

Inspector Garey Miller from Sanquhar said: 'We are always looking at ways of building on our level of engagement in local communities and appreciate that at times people prefer speaking to Police on a personal basis rather than over the telephone.

'We want the same as our communities, which is to live in an area free of crime. We need your help in preventing and detecting crime and if you get to know us we can all work together in keeping Upper Nithsdale a low crime area.

'The introduction of the Police surgeries will give people in Kelloholm and Kirkconnel who perhaps do not want the police visiting them at home or to travel to Sanquhar Police Station, the opportunity to have a face-to-face discussion with local officers and discuss any problems they have.'

Inspector Miller continued: 'While the non-emergency number has been established for some time, making it easier for people to contact us and the area being patrolled by officers on a regular basis, it was felt that the introduction of the surgeries will give local people another way of engaging us.'

The first of the surgeries will take place at the NCH building in Kelloholm on Tuesday, July 7.