VILLAGERS in Rushmere St Andrew are celebrating the return of their very own bobby on the beat after being without one for over three years.Pc Karle Howard will solely focus on Rushmere St Andrew and begins his new role on Monday .

VILLAGERS in Rushmere St Andrew are celebrating the return of their very own bobby on the beat after being without one for over three years.

Pc Karle Howard will solely focus on Rushmere St Andrew and begins his new role on Monday .

He will be the village's first community police officer since the restructuring of police operations in April 1999.

Funding for the new position has been generated through the Suffolk First scheme, a campaign launched by Suffolk Constabulary and Suffolk Police Authority to make the county the safest in England and Wales by 2006.

Inspector Trevor Brundle, of Suffolk Police, said: "Rushmere has an ever growing population and there is a need to provide a police officer to address the problems and issues of that community.

"This is about raising the profile of the police because people like to see a police officer on the beat."

The move has been welcomed by Rushmere St Andrew Parish Council and local residents.

Parish clerk Mel Bentley said: "We have been actively communicating with Suffolk Constabulary for a number of months in order to seek a new community police officer and, at long last, we have got one.

"It is more reassuring than anything else. We hear reports from various people about minor vandalism and the odd car being broken into but, hopefully, this new bobby will act as a deterrent."

Patrick Bloomfield, 36, of The Mills, said: "The big problem that we have around here is thefts during the daytime because it is very quiet. Hopefully, seeing a policeman will act as a deterrent."

Dolly Burford, 84, of Playford Road, said: "It is very good news because we have been without one for ages now. I think it prevents things happening and it will be reassuring to see a police officer."

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