POLICE are inviting residents of Cholsey and Dorchester to come to police surgeries.

The surgeries are aimed at increasing the dialogue between police and the public so the neighbourhood team can target the issues most important to residents.

The local neighbourhood officers, Sgt Frazer Weller and PC Jess Rowling, will be at Dorchester Village Hall tomorrow night from 6pm and PC Pip Walker and Sgt Weller will be at Cholsey Primary School on Wednesday, April 4, from 5pm.

Sgt Weller, who is in charge of the neighbourhood team, said: "The aim of the surgeries is for people to drop in and meet and chat with their local officers.

"You can discuss whatever issues you have in your area, whether they relate to crime or other issues which we may be able to help resolve.

"Neighbourhood policing is about working in partnership with the local community and other agencies, building up a network of people who can solve issues together, rather than in isolation, so we may be able to put you in touch with the right agency to contact if is something that we can't do ourselves.

"We want to work with our local community and we need to know what is happening in your neighbourhood so that we can work with you to reduce crime and disorder and improve quality of life."

"The top priorities for the neighbourhood team are criminal damage (vandalism), parking and antisocial use of motor vehicles. Maybe there is an issue in your street which isn't being addressed. In which case, come along and see us."

The team will be arranging other surgeries in other locations within the neighbourhood and would welcome suggestions for suitable venues. Sgt Weller can be contacted via 0845 8 505 505.