By Geoff Fisher It is sad to hear that our PCSO, Stephen Bridges, is going to be made redundant at the end of March 2018, after being a regular, reassuring and welcome face in Reepham.
It is short-sighted of Norfolk Constabulary to dismiss all local PCSOs in this way.
Stephen has been in post for more than 10 years. He knows many local people and is well known by many.
His presence helps to make people aware that there is a police presence and any potential wrong-doers are probably well known to him
Once he has gone, I cannot see that the newly appointed police officer will be able to cover the same ground in the same, informed way as Stephen.
He will be thinly spread over the local area and, however willing and dedicated he may be, it will take a long time for him to be as aware and knowledgeable as Stephen.
His dismissal can only lead to more crime and anti-social behaviour, with no-one on the spot to do anything about it.
Brenda R Palmer, Chapel Close, Reepham
Geoff Fisher