Police on the beat welcome on the strip

About four weeks ago, Kensington police introduced the initiative that would see more officers out of their vehicles and patrolling on foot.

It was introduced so that police would have a more visible presence on the strip and would be able to engage with the local community.

‘One of the best tools against anti-social behaviour is police presence,’ Constable Byers said. ‘With more police presence, people feel safer walking down the strip.’

Constable O’Hanlon added they were working towards more community engagement.

Kensington officer-in- charge Senior Sergeant Ash Goy said the initiative was already reaping the results.

‘We have been running these foot patrols on both day and afternoon shifts and even several on weekends,’ he said.

‘The good citizens are our eyes and ears and if we can make this great town a safer place to be, then we are half- way to doing our job right.’

Luckies Liquor owner John Luckman said the foot patrols were ‘great.’

‘When people see that they are here they think twice about what they are doing,’ he said. ‘Victoria Park is becoming more popular and a better area, and the foot patrols are changing it for the better.’