As part of the national Neighbourhood Policing Week of Action, running from the 14th until the 21st of January, Leicestershire Police shine a light on the work of their neighbourhood police officers.

'Beat bobbies' across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland have been publicising the wide range of things that they get involved with in and around their neighbourhoods to give a snapshot into the life of a local officer.

Sergeant Paul Kear, who is based in Oakham, has provided insight into a typical day-in-life of a rural police officer:

"It's 6.30am and following on from enquiries by officers into a rural commercial burglary I have come on early to brief eight officers and lead a search warrant in a neighbouring county. Any leads or intelligence we get for jobs like this are acted upon as soon as possible as rural crime is an absolute priority for us here in Rutland."

The outcome of this case is still ongoing, so watch this space…

He continues: "At midday I return to the station where I settle down to complete the necessary paperwork and liaise with the detective in the case with the outcomes.

"1pm and I pick up a voicemail on my phone while I've been out and about. It's from a landowner on the Leicestershire/Nottinghamshire border to discuss some matters that have been brought to his attention. I return the call."

Contacts like this are valuable for Sergeant Paul Kear, as this reach into the rural and farming communities is very useful to get messages out there to people who don't always use modern digital mediums and, conversely, for them to get messages to the police.

The Sergeant adds: "At 1.30pm I receive a report of a male in the street covered in blood in Oakham (very unusual) after an apparent fall. Officers attend but no trace of the chap and no further calls come in. We can only hope he made it home, cleaned himself up and is ok.

"1.45pm and I review all incidents and crime reported in Rutland over the previous 24 hours. Rutland is a really safe place to live so I'm on the lookout for anything that I feel needs a visit or a call from one of my team."

This recognition from the local police can reassure a victim or caller. That their call for service has been heard by local police officers leaves them confident that they are well policed, despite people living in rural areas.

"At 2pm I begin the late shift briefing before reviewing and allocating crimes to officers that require a local investigation by those with in depth knowledge of their community and the people living in it."

This helps add value for a victim. It may be the only time in their lives that they need to speak to an officer and to speak to one who knows the area and often the people involved can be a very important part of the role.

Kear continues: "I am vice-chair of the Rutland Joint Action Group (JAG) so at 3pm I attend a "virtual" pre-meet with Rutland County Council members to discuss the agenda of the meeting in a couple of days' time and what we expect from each other. This makes the meeting more effective and productive and prevents matters being carried over, makes cases shorter and interventions prompt and effective.

"By 3.30pm I'm tending to any emails that have come in during the day. When I'm satisfied that all the threat risk and harm that has crossed my desk that day has been mitigated/dealt with and there is an acceptable plan to deal with it, I can go home knowing that anything that comes in after I've booked off will be picked up by another sergeant. We're a 24/7 service and the calls can come at any time. At 4pm my duty ends."

Thank you to Sergeant Kear!

During this week of action, led by the National Police Chief's Council, Leicestershire Police is also encouraging residents to sign up to the free email altern system, Neighbourhood Link, Neighbourhood Watch, and other partner organisations that provide relevant news and updates on policing where you live and work.

To report a crime, contact the police, or to find out about what is happening in your area, visit the Leicestershire Policing website.