A new police officer has taken to the streets of Blackwater and Hawley for the first time.

Pc Paul Whitehouse has joined Pc Natalie Gardener, PCSO Mike Swankie and PCSO Lorraine Fullard on the patch.

The Blackwater and Hawley beat team have prioritised several issues in the area.

The officers are particularly focused on crime prevention initiatives for the upcoming holiday period and hope to get PubWatch up and running after a slow start in June.

The team of four have identified several areas in which anti-social behaviour is occurring and are targeting these while on patrol.

Pc Whitehouse said: “I have worked as a police officer for more than two-and-a-half years, but grew up around the local area.

“I am looking forward to working with the community in my new role as beat officer and hope that people will find me to be very approachable.

“I am open to anyone stopping me when they see me out and about and letting me know what’s going on, and what issues are becoming a community concern.”

Pc Gardner has worked from Yateley police station for five years and urged residents to contact the team with any concerns.

She said: “I love my role as a beat officer and am trying very hard to deal with the current issues in the Blackwater and Hawley area. In order to do this I need residents to call me and tell me what is happening.

“Your call will be treated with utmost confidence and you do not even have to tell me who you are.”

PCSO Swankie has been working on the Blackwater and Hawley beat for two years. He and PCSO Fullard can often be seen on foot patrol in the area. PCSO Fullard is also the point of contact for the Neighbourhood Watch programme in the Blackwater and Hawley area.

Together the team are working very closely with other agencies in regards to the Bell Lane area, where a crime reduction and environment week will be held starting Monday, December 8 and running until Saturday, December 13.