by Sarika Sharma
THE community and police will have the opportunity to develop their relationship as the Neighbourhood Action Group (NAG) comes to Amersham with the first meetings being held in July.
NAGS are part of the Government's nationwide drive to improve neighbourhood policing, tackle crime and make the public sector more accountable for the community it serves.
The group wants to curb offences by giving the public a chance to voice their concerns on what they think needs to be addressed, and will prioritise issues according to the level of votes each subject attracts.
The NAG will include representatives of residents' associations, businesses, youth workers, teachers, faith leaders and the council.
Alan Watson chairman of the Amersham Chamber of Commerce said: "I hope that it will bring the community together. I hope that it will help bring other groups to tackle existing issues more effectively because NAGs will have members of the police and the council there, so hopefully it should have a bit more bite to it and be able to get things resolved quicker."
Under the plans the Amersham area will be split into two sections – Amersham Old Town and Chesham Bois will have one meeting and Little Chalfont, Chenies and Amersham on the Hill another.
Brian Woods, secretary of the Amersham Action Group, said: "I would rather that there were one group to cover the whole of Amersham because we all have interdependence and common concerns."
District councillor Noel Brown, cabinet member for health, housing and community safety, was hopeful that the introduction of the new groups would have a positive effect on the town.
He said: "Neighbourhood policing has been running for a year now in Chalfont St Peter and has proved to be very successful. Some of the priority issues which have been identified there by the local community as needing to be combated have been speeding, parking and vandalism.
"I'm sure the people of Amersham and surrounding areas will soon appreciate the benefits a NAG can bring."
And Inspector Raymond Scotcher, who will be a member of the NAGs, added: "So far we have has a good response to the introduction of neighbourhood policing in Chiltern, with large numbers attending the public meetings and telling us