NEW police officers in Wootton Basset have promised to combat public disorder and involve the community in fighting crime.

Sergeant Gavin Williams and Detective Sergeant Peter Chamberlain are both eager to forge links with people in Wootton Bassett.

Sgt Williams, 32, is primarily responsible for running the station on a day-to-day basis.

He has already reinstated the system of geographical patches for each PC.

He said: "It's about identifying the right person for the right job and making the most of our staffing levels."

He also wants to work more closely with other stations in his sector, such as Cricklade and Malmesbury, to increase manpower levels by pooling staff.

"My main interest here is public order nuisances that affect the quality of life for other members of the community," he said.

"I am looking forward to getting out and about forging links with individuals and organisations such as the town council and the chamber of commerce.

"The thing that strikes me about here is that we have a lot of public support which perhaps does not happen in larger towns.

"You get to know members of the community on a personal basis and also see the direct effect of your work."

Det Sgt Chamberlain, 39, was an acting detective sergeant in Swindon for 12 months before being promoted on the same day as Sgt Williams.

He has set up a hotline for people to ring if they have any information about crime in the area.

"We are only human we can't do our job unless the public help us," he said.

"I want to raise the detection level of offences. "It can be anything from burglaries, to violent crime, robberies on general assault."

Det Sgt Chamberlain was born and bred in Swindon and went to Hreod Parkway School. He has worked in the Swindon area since joining the Wiltshire Constabulary in August 1990.

"Wootton Bassett is a much pleasanter environment to work in than Swindon," he said.

"It was very hectic in Swindon, virtually every day there used to be someone in the cell you had to interview or a line of inquiry to follow.

"Here I am personally able to thoroughly investigate cases and spend a bit more time. I prefer that."

Inspector Craig Hill welcomed the two new officers and said he was sure they were going to make a valuable contribution to policing in Wootton Bassett.

The officers can be contacted on (01793) 856603.