SUFFOLK Police's new mobile police station - which will visit about 40 villages in a month - will be officially launched today .Orford Castle will be the venue for the unit, which is said to be a key part of the force's drive to be the safest county in England and Wales within three years.

SUFFOLK Police's new mobile police station - which will visit about 40 villages in a month - will be officially launched today .

Orford Castle will be the venue for the unit, which is said to be a key part of the force's drive to be the safest county in England and Wales within three years.

The police station will be based at up to two villages each day, in the Suffolk Coastal area at first.

As the Evening Star first reported in January 2002, the station gives villagers a chance to meet officers on patrol in the area.

A police spokeswoman said: "In essence, we will be providing the normal 'front counter' services of a fixed police station in the rural areas we visit.

"The vehicle will be staffed by a counter clerk who will have remote data links to the constabulary's computer system and patrol either on foot or on cycle, providing a patrol presence in the rural areas."