PRAISE was heaped on the community police team serving the district by Cowdenbeath Area Committee members.

Councillors made their feelings known when Chief Inspector Tom Brown, head of policing in the West of Fife, gave a report on police activities and said that there had been no change in the make-up of the team which is served by Community Inspector Gavin Cameron, Community Sergeant Caine McIntyre and Community Constables, Barry Smith, Gary Chrystal, Gavin Keith, Fiona Menzies, Calum McDougall and Brittany Primeau.

Said Chief Inspector Brown: "The community officers in the Cowdenbeath and Kelty; and Benarty, Lochgelly and Cardenden wards continue to have close links with a wide and varied cross section of the local community, maintaining a regular presence in primary and secondary schools, attending elderly and vulnerable people's groups and ensuring local businesses and voluntary organisations are supported.

"Community officers play an essential role in local engagement and consultation work ensuring that issues that matter most to the communities of the Cowdenbeath area are addressed."

He pointed out that as a result the priorities in the Cowdenbeath Area plan are violence, disorder and antisocial behaviour; road safety and road crime; and drug and alcohol misuse.

Kelty and Cowdenbeath member, Councillor Alex Campbell said: "There is no doubt in my mind that 'localism' is best and we have a tremendous community police team.

"They work really hard at engagement with all age groups and get things done."

Community Inspector Cameron said: "We have a tremendously enthusiastic community team who go all sorts of events, often in their own time."

Cowdenbeath and Kelty councillor member Darren Watt commented: "The officers in our team really do go that extra mile to help people and get involved in things like gala days and young people enjoy that sort of engagement."

Community police team members Barry Smith and Gary Chrystal took part in the Benarty Fundraisers' Splash for Cash event on New Year's Day and were seen in their uniforms hitting the loch at Lochore Meadows Country Park (see picture).

Benarty, Lochgelly and Cardenden member, Lea McLelland, said: "The community officers are so approachable in Benarty and are really brilliant at dealing with the public."

Area Committee chair, Councillor Linda Erskine, agreed, and added: "Our team are really very good at being part of the community and speaking to people.

"It makes people have the confidence to talk to the police team and it is bound to encourage the public to give information on issues."