against crime.

The proposals involve roping more members of the community into the offensive, and include: Forming Police associations, made up of businessmen who receive regular talks from criminal experts; Bringing in a "second tier'' of parish constables to heighten Police ties with communities; Strengthening neighbourhood watch schemes; and School programmes to improve road safety among schoolchildren.

There are also moves to boost the narcotics division by getting officers away from desk work.

The latest pieces in the new anti-crime strategy were disclosed this week by Crime Prevention Officer Sgt. Chris Wilcox and Insp. Roseanda Jones, from the Community and Media Relations Department.

They came to light as it emerged a recent Police effort to forge closer community links has faltered.

This summer, the Police launched a series of post office clinics in a bid to give the service a more visible presence in the community.

Police said the role of the clinic constables was "to become acquainted with their parishioners and (to) act as a liaison between the Police and the public in dealing with ongoing issues or problems that cannot be immediately resolved.'' But The Royal Gazette understands the clinics have attracted a disappointing response from the public.

Insp. Jones said: "The clinics have been put on hold, and a number of other initiatives aimed at establishing more contact with the community are being explored. These include expanding the neighbourhood watch schemes.'' Said Sgt. Wilcox admitted the clinics had been "under-utilised''.

He added one of the new ideas being reviewed was setting up Police associations in Hamilton and St. George's.

"We would definitely consider launching them if there was sufficient interest.

"They would be like a Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club, that is to say organisations of business people.

"People would join voluntarily, pay an annual fee, and form a committee which would meet on a regular basis.

"The committee would have luncheons, and invite guest speakers -- not necessarily Police officers, but people who are experts in their field and can talks to business people on a set subject of interest.

"If there is sufficient interest we might try to establish such associations in Hamilton and St. George's.'' Sgt. Wilcox also spoke of moves to introduce a "second tier'' of parish constables -- something Police Commissioner Mr. Colin Coxall was extremely keen on.

He said the extra constables would come from the "civilianisation'' programme, under which officers would be removed from desk work.

And they would be assigned to minor investigations and crime prevention work.

Sgt. Wilcox said the new batch of constables could also act as liaison officers with neighbourhood watch schemes, which started in December 1983.

Police in boost to stop crime It was hoped they would help to keep such programmes going -- currently there was a tendency for them to break up after six months or a year, he said.

"Usually what happens is this. When people get three or four break-ins in their neighbourhood we get called to give neighbourhood watch talks, and launch the scheme.

"Initially everybody is keen and we tell everybody to meet on a regular basis. But as the fear factor decreases, people lose interest and after a relatively shortly period the group ceases to exist.

"Even when this happens, however, some good is usually left behind. When I talk to people about neighbourhood watch schemes I explain how people can make their homes secure, and I explain their rights to protect themselves and neighbours under the law, and I explain about prohibited and offensive weapons.'' He added: "We have a brochure on neighbourhood watch schemes we keep reprinting.

"We revise the brochure and it was reprinted this year. We encourage people to form such schemes.'' Insp. Jones said the neighbourhood watch scheme idea may be used to combat crime in St. George's.

The idea could be raised shortly at a meeting with the Mayor of St. George's the Wor. Henry Hayward.

Insp. Jones also highlighted another community initiative -- raising schoolchidren's awareness of road safety.

She said W.P.c. Tracy Armstrong was the new road safety officer.

"She's going to be implementing programmes in the schools because one of the Commissioner's greatest concerns is the number of road accidents.''