THEY are the county's answer to Charlie's Angels - the first all female crime fighting squad to hit the streets.

Russell Claydon

THEY are the county's answer to Charlie's Angels - the first all female crime fighting squad to hit the streets.

Girl power is now being used to tackle persistent problems affecting lives around some of Suffolk's best loved villages.

Law and order is being enforced in Lavenham, Long Melford, Monks Eleigh and Glemsford by the county's first all woman team.

And the Babergh West Safer Neighbourhood Team - who may soon be dubbed 'Babergh's Angels' - are promising there will be no soft feminine touch from them when it comes to tackling crime.

Sergeant Liz Ireland, head of the team, said: “We have only ever had one male on the team and he has moved on to pastures new and Enise was successful at getting the job.

“The community is made up of (roughly) 50/50 male and females and it is nice we have more female police officers so we can balance things out and deal with things more equally.”

She added the new look to the team was helpful in some situations, like dealing with female domestic violence victims, but said they can always bring in a male officer if someone requests it.

Liz Pettman, diversity manager for Suffolk Constabulary, said 351 female officers are currently employed by the force, making up 26.7% of officers.

“While gender equality in the workplace has come a long way over the past 30 years or so, the constabulary has a progressive approach to the issue and currently has a target to make 30% of the force female.

“Babergh West SNT is an exceptional case but it's always encouraging to see more female officers within the force,” she said.

Members of the public are being encouraged to get in touch with the eight woman team, based at Sudbury police station, and help set their crime fighting priorities, through their website: www.onesuffolk.co.uk/SaferSuffolk/WestBabergh. Alternatively, people can contact them through the police switchboard 01473 613500. Their next public meeting will be on February 25 at the Social Club in Hunts Hill, Glemsford where issues will be identified to work on.