AN OFFICER just appointed to a key role with Bedfordshire Police has issued a New Year message to the public asking for their help in the fight against crime during 2006. Supt Andy Street, who has moved from Humberside Police to take over as deputy divisi

AN OFFICER just appointed to a key role with Bedfordshire Police has issued a New Year message to the public asking for their help in the fight against crime during 2006.

Supt Andy Street, who has moved from Humberside Police to take over as deputy divisional commander of central division which includes the Shefford area, says it is only by working as a team that a difference can be made in the community.

He wants to drive down crime such as violence, burglary, drugs, auto-crime and anti-social behaviour.

Supt Street is looking forward to meeting local leaders such as councillors and community groups to build on the division's many partnership initiatives, but says the ordinary person in the street also has a vital role to play.

That includes having the confidence in police to report crimes, being prepared to stand as witness to incidents and contacting officers the moment they see something suspicious in their neighbourhoods.

He is also keen to promote the value of community watch organisations, such as Home Watch, Pub Watch and Forecourt Watch, and the divisional Ringmaster system that alerts co-ordinators about crime trends in their areas.

Supt Street said: "I have quickly learnt that residents in this division take a great pride in their communities and I would like to build on those strengths.

"The majority of problems in any policing area are down to a minority of people and by working more effectively together we can bring these offenders to task and make our division an even safer place to live and work."

Supt Street, who takes over from Supt Andy Martin, brings more than 21 years' experience to Bedfordshire.

He spent most of his career with Northamptonshire Police before moving to Humberside.