A PIONEERING PCSO who uses her computer to pop crucial crime updates into people's inboxes has watched her idea be copied by other officers across Brentwood.
Karen Gibbs, who has been working the Hutton beat for seven and a half years, says the best way to fight crime is to work closely with the residents she serves.
"Whenever it's needed," the 36--year-old crime fighter sends an e-mail to around 200 homes on her patch, with news of incidents within the neighbourhood and tips on staying safe.
Despite reaching this number in just two years, the PCSO will not rest until she has 500 residents on her database.
Following on from her scheme, similar initiatives are now being rolled out by her colleagues across Warley, West Horndon, Ingrave, Herongate and Pilgrims Hatch.
She explained how, up until she launched the service, Essex Police kept residents up to date with an expensive phone messaging system called Ringmaster (now decommissioned), which was succeeded by a hard copy newsletter.
"I decided to get it going because it's quicker and nearly everyone is on e-mail," she said.
"It's about communicating with the public and getting the information out to them so that we can work together to reduce crime.
"The Hutton community is such a lovely community, they are so polite to me.
"I have been in the area for seven and a half years, they all know me and as soon as I see them I ask them to sign up and I've not had one person say no."
Included within the updates – which comes under the umbrella of Neighbourhood Watch – is information about crimes, scams and advice on protecting valuables in the home and the car, not to mention anti-social behaviour updates.
"I have had so many scams e-mailed to me from members of the public so I send them out to all members," she said.
"It's just about trying to reduce the fear of crime, stop people panicking and get them one step ahead of the criminals."
Any residents of Hutton who wish to join the e-mail group should e-mail Karen.gibbs@pnn.police.uk
However, she is keen to point out that witnesses or victims of crime should continue to call 101, rather than report them on the e-mail system.
Anyone wishing to join a group from Warley, West Horndon, Ingrave, Herongate or Pilgrims Hatch, should find out who their PCSO is and replace karen.gibbs with their firstname.latename in the e-mail address.
