Rangers target anti-social behaviour
A NEWLY appointed team of countryside rangers has been chosen to help address anti-social behaviour, littering and dog fouling in the county.
A NEWLY appointed team of countryside rangers has been chosen to help address anti-social behaviour, littering and dog fouling in the county.
Suffolk County Council's countryside rangers have become the latest members of the extended policing family to be granted powers by Suffolk Constabulary's chief constable.
Rangers will wear their own uniform, displaying a logo to show they are accredited, and carry an identification card clearly setting out the specific powers the individual is trained and authorised to use.
Each ranger has to meet specific standards and is vetted to the same high standard as police officers and police staff.
The council is currently part of a project called Greenest County to promote awareness of the environment.
Greenest County chief Paul West said: “We are very lucky in Suffolk to have the most beautiful country parks and recreation sites.
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“Our rangers work very hard to make sure visitors thoroughly enjoy the Suffolk countryside and now their responsibility has been extended to help address issues such as anti-social behaviour, littering and dog fouling.
“This accreditation provides our rangers with the resources to deal effectively with these issues on all our county recreation sites and country parks if needed.”
The rangers will now have the legal power to take down an individual's name and address as well as issue fixed penalty notices.
The scheme will also allow them to share relevant information with the police.
Acting chief inspector Ben Cook of Community Safety at Suffolk Constabulary said: “The Countryside Rangers will increase public reassurance and provide greater resources to deal with crime reduction and anti-social behaviour, which greatly impact on people's lives.”
Safer Neighbourhood Police Officers and Police Community Support Officers will be on patrol as normal and response officers will be available round the clock to attend an incident if required.
If you would like to know more about the scheme visit www.suffolk.police.uk/csas.
n. Do you think the rangers are a good idea? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or email eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk
