From this week, members of the public will have the opportunity to go on patrol with their local officers with Gwent Police’s new Ride Along Scheme.

Over the years, Gwent Police has provided members of the public with the chance to go on patrol and many have taken advantage of the opportunity, including community leaders, as part of the Home Office’s Best Use of Stop and Search Scheme, which aims to give members of the public the chance to see stop and search in action. This general Ride Along Scheme is being introduced to address this commitment and to put in place a formal framework for accompanied patrols.

Similar schemes are already running in a number of forces across the UK.

To take part in the scheme, members of the public need to be over 18, or over 16 with parental permission, and a resident of Gwent. They will be able to register their interest by completing an online form (https://www.gwent.police.uk/ridealong). Neighbourhood Policing Teams will also be distributing leaflets containing a short application form.

Chief Inspector Rod Grindlay said:

"This is a vital part of our engagement strategy and provides members of the public with an opportunity to see their local officers in action. While we look at each applicant on a case by case basis, we must ensure that the initiative does not impact upon operational requirements or jeopardise the safety of officers, staff or members of the public. Patrols, either in vehicles or on foot, are likely to last a couple of hours and the member of the public will most likely accompany officers in uniform. Everyone who takes part in the scheme will be security checked, will need to sign a Confidentiality Agreement and receive a Health and Safety Briefing. A Risk Assessment will be carried out before the patrol starts and members of the public must wear an ’Observer’ tabard and follow the instructions of the officer they are accompanying. We look forward to hearing feedback from those who take part"