Community Patrol

The Community Patrol Team provide a reassuring presence to deter unacceptable behavior and make people feel safe.

Patrol Services are a cost-effective alternative to on-site security personnel in many environments. If employed properly, patrol services can be a strong deterrent to crime and provide a number of valuable services, such as alarm response, after-hours control of locks and gates, and periodic inspection of key locations of concern.

The community patrol team is set up to provide a uniformed reassuring presence for residents and visitors to Thanet. The team works with other organizations responsible for community safety to create a safe, welcoming and well-maintained environment. All CPS team members hold valid SIA licenses in whatever field they are working in.

What is the role of a community patrol officer?

Provide a reassuring presence, deter unacceptable behavior and make people feel safer.
Tackle anti-social behavior.
Identify and deal with environmental issues e.g. graffiti and fly tipping.
Work with the community and other organizations to identify and resolve problems e.g. those taking part in anti-social behavior.
Promote and uphold byelaws.
Inspect play areas.
Carry out risk assessments.
To work in correspondence with local forces ambulance and fire crews for quicker assistance for the general public’s safety.

24 – Hour operations and dispatch centre to expedite response to emergency calls. Co-ordinate field operations and process activity reports.
Advance surveillance 4x4 deterrent vehicles fitted high visibility markings with high power lighting day and night vision cameras

When is the team working?

The community patrol team work on a 24 hour basis 7 days a week 365 days out of the year.

What the Community Patrol Team can do to keep Thanet safe
A community patrol officer can:

Request the names and addresses of people acting in an anti-social way.
Confiscate alcohol from underage people or alcohol being consumed in specific public places.
Confiscate cigarettes and tobacco from underage people.
Issue fixed penalty notices ( yes or no) to be discussed.
Stop cyclists on footpaths and issue fixed penalty notices. 
Stop people throwing fireworks.
Arrange for the removal of an abandoned vehicles. 

How will the community patrol team provide a reassuring presence and make people feel safer?

Introduce ways of working which maximize patrol time.
High visibility vehicles and uniforms.
Using local information to guide the work of the team.
Using enforcement powers and relevant legislation where appropriate.
Embracing opportunities to engage with the community.
Working in partnership with other organizations such as the Police fire crews and ambulance.