A SUCCESSFUL trial of a new style of policing has led to one of the area s inspectors being chosen to help set up the scheme nationally. Police in North Herts and Stevenage have been trying out neighbourhood policing for over a year. Under the scheme, d

A SUCCESSFUL trial of a new style of policing has led to one of the area's inspectors being chosen to help set up the scheme nationally.

Police in North Herts and Stevenage have been trying out "neighbourhood policing" for over a year.

Under the scheme, dedicated teams are assigned to specific areas and members of the public are given a say in what the policing priorities should be.

Each of the 43 forces in the country was required to have an area trialling the scheme and Hertford-shire's trial in its eastern area was ranked

in the top three nationally.

Government targets say that neighbourhood policing needs to be rolled out around the country by 2008, and now Hitchin Inspector Phillip Wright has been selected to help implement this.

Insp Wright has worked at Hitchin since July last year and will finish this week.

He said: "For me it's quite exciting because it means that I will have the opportunity to lead on shaping something nationally rather than just locally.

"This system of policing will ultimately lead to a reduction in crime and a reduction in the fear of crime.

"The feeling of reassurance provided by that will lead to a much better quality of life.

"I am very sad to be leaving behind the excellent team I have had the pleasure to lead, and the many members of the community and partners who give so much to make Hitchin area the safe and pleasant environment it is."

Insp Wright's replacement will be announced shortly.