POLICE in the Belmont area of Hereford have introduced special postboxes to allow residents to raise areas of concern with the local policing team and partners, such as Herefordshire Council, by filling in a simple postcard survey.

The postboxes are the latest part of the Partners And Communities Together (PACT) programme, which aims to give local people a greater say in how their area is policed, allowing them to set priorities for officers and partner agencies to tackle.

South Wye residents have already been able to have a direct input by attending community forum meetings in November and February and the new postcard surveys will extend that further to provide an ongoing means of communication.

The new PACT information points feature the contact details for the Belmont local policing team of PC Paul Greenwood and Community Support Officers Jason Merrick and Shane Jenkins, plus details of the current priorities for the local area raised through the regular community forum meetings.

The postcard surveys can be filled in at the information points or be taken home to complete and posted - with no cost for postage.

"The information points are an additional way to highlight any community issues in the Belmont area for those who are unable to attend the forum meetings or who simply wish to raise quality of life concerns as they develop," said Chief Inspector Sue Thomas, in charge of Local Policing in Herefordshire.

"The postcards are quick and easy to complete and can be filled in anonymously if people prefer.

"The information points are all located at easily accessible venues across the area and the postboxes are regularly monitored so that issues can be picked up quickly.

"The local policing team will be continuing to work closely with Herefordshire Council and other partners to ensure the issues identified as local priorities by the community can be addressed by the appropriate people.

"The police and our partners are committed to improving local communities and responding to the priorities of residents - but it's up to local residents to let us know what needs to be done."

The information points are at Brampton Road Post Office, Newtown Farm Information Centre, Tesco Belmont and Belmont Community Centre.

The Belmont local policing team can be contacted at South Wye Police Station on 01432 346717 or by email at belmont.lpt@westmercia.pnn.police.uk The next South Wye Community Forum/PACT meeting takes place at 7pm in the Kindle Centre at the new Asda site on Tuesday.