Ian ClarkeA new initiative by police to go down the local to meet the locals has got off to a successful start.The rural charm offensive aims to show villagers that officers are taking issues in the countryside seriously and they want to hear their views.Ian Clarke

An initiative by police to go down the local to meet the locals has got off to a successful start.

The rural charm offensive aims to show villagers that officers are taking issues in the countryside seriously and they want to hear their views.

Sgt Mark Goodbody, of the Dereham Safer Neighbourhood Team, had the idea to go to local pubs and he was joined on Saturday at the Gressenhall Swan by PC Matthew Paine and PCSO Paul Frostwick.

Speeding in the village emerged as the main problem for local people, and PCSO Frostwick said the meet- and-greet session had been a useful exercise.

'It was a good experience. It is nice to get out there in the parishes, and the pub is the ideal place to talk to people.'

PCSO Frostwick added: 'We had a general chit-chat, which is one of the aims of the initiative and gives people the chance to come in and put a name to a face.'

He said the concerns about speeding would be passed on to traffic officers.

The next sessions where people can meet police officers in pubs are at: Mattishall Swan (Thursday, February 11, 1-3pm), Lyng Fox and Hounds (Friday, February 12, 1-3pm), Swanton Morley Angel (Saturday, February 20, 1-3pm) and North Elmham Railway (Thursday, February 25, 7-8.30pm).

To contact Dereham SNT, call 0845 456 4567 or email sntdereham@norfolk.pnn.police.uk