Safer Neighbourhood Teams (SNTs) across the north of Sheffield are raising their profile, by implementing awareness activities throughout January.

There are three SNTs (Burngreave, Firth Park and Shiregreen SNTs, Hillsborough Upperthorpe and Deepcar SNTs and Ecclesfield SNTs) covering the north of Sheffield. The teams led by South Yorkshire Police and your local council. SNTs consist of police officers, police community support officers (PCSOs), special constables and local authority neighbourhood wardens/ambassadors and managers. SNTs also have dedicated children and young people officers and crime reduction officers. SNTs are dedicated teams, which are visible, accessible and familiar to communities. They reduce local crime, bring more offenders to justice and address quality of life issues through a problem-solving approach.

Activities began on Saturday January 02, 2010 with a police safety advice stand at Tesco Supermarket, on Barnsley Road near to the Northern General hospital. Other activities include drop in surgeries throughout the month across the north of the city, visits to schools and colleges, local supermarkets and even hospitals, giving you a further opportunity to meet members of your SNT and discuss any issues.

The mobile police display vehicle will also be situated at various locations throughout the month starting on Tuesday, January 5 located at Fife Street, then Nethershire shops, Shiregreen, then at further locations throughout the north of the city, including Ellesmere Shops, Firth Park Centre, Stannington Library, and in Chapletown and in Ecclesfield. This will be staffed by your officers so come along and meet them, discuss any issues or have a general chat.

Superintendent Martin Scothern, the commander for the north of the city said: “These initiatives are a key part of our strategy to raise awareness of Safer Neighbourhood Teams (SNTs). Officers from the SNTs work closely with all partner agencies including Sheffield City Council, Sheffield Homes, Sheffield Futures, to find solutions to issues, which have been raised by the local community that affect the quality of life for residents. Our aim is to be locally known, with everyone knowing who their local SNT officer is, and to identify key local problems and be seen to make a difference.

“The commitment of all our partner agencies is instrumental in achieving visible results for local people, officers are keen to take this opportunity to get to know residents even better and to promote the services that the police can offer.”

To find your local safer neighbourhood team (SNT), how to contact them and to find out what’s happening in your area visit http://www.southyorks.police.uk and enter your postcode. You can visit this website to find out more about crime in your area and how your SNT is working to combat it. You will find information about the dates of regular Partners and Communities Together (PACT) meetings at which you can have your say about your concerns, and also information about other events being held by your SNT.