BASINGSTOKE'S town centre now has a new bobby as part of a scheme to strengthen community-police relations.
As previously reported, bobbies have been brought back to Basingstoke and each one will have a specific area to control, with their name, email address and phone number publicly available, allowing them to be contacted by residents.
PC Charlotte Warhurst, who has worked for Hampshire Constabulary for more than four years, has been announced as the new bobby for the town centre and will be covering Eastrop, Brookvale and Kings Furlong and Grove beats.
Charlotte started out as a police community support officer (PCSO) in Tadley before joining as a PC as part of a response team covering Hart and Rushmoor. For the last year, she has been working on the Neighbourhoods Policing Team in Basingstoke, covering the town centre areas.
READ MORE: Basingstoke: Who is my local bobby and how do I contact them?
Basingstoke Cops took to Facebook to share the news with residents.
On the post, Charlotte said: "I am excited to get to know residents, business owners and other stakeholders in the area over the coming weeks/months. If you see me out and about, feel free to stop for a chat.
"This year, I have attended a number of community engagements, ranging from school and scout group meet and greets, residential beat surgeries and many more.
"If you would like me to attend a community engagement you have coming up, then please don’t hesitate to contact me via email: charlotte.warhurst.28189@hampshire.police.uk."
She will be holding regular beat surgeries at Festival Place, with the next one scheduled for 12pm on Wednesday, March 20.
Future beat surgeries and community engagements will be advertised on Facebook and Hampshire Alerts.
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Residents can sign up to receive alerts at hampshirealert.co.uk.
The bobbies will continuously be in touch with their communities, addressing the root causes of crime in their areas.
People should still call 111 or 999 in an emergency.
A total of 99 bobbies are in place across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, and will be in post for a minimum of two years.
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