'Landscape of policing is changing'

Constabulary meeting with public to discuss main concerns

A senior officer says the landscape of policing has changed since the rise of cyber crime.

Meetings are taking place around the Island as residents discuss the biggest issues in their communities.

There have been calls for more bobbies on the beat, as well as a clamp down on speeding.

Superintendent Stephen Maddocks says there are many different types of crime that need to be policed.

He said: "We always try and have a presence.

"People will see officers out on patrols, but there's also the social media presence as well.

"We just need to make sure that we can strike a balance between everything that we have to service."

Public events are being held in the north, east, south and west of the Island to help shape the Isle of Man Constabulary's policing plan.

Supt Maddocks feels it's not always easy to know how resources should be deployed.

"[We have to deal with] complaints of speeding, being visible in our community, but there's also a cyber community now where people  are being extorted online.

"The world of safeguarding has increased. It was always there but we didn't really recognise it sometimes or deal with it in the most effective way.

"The landscape has changed and we need to make sure we flex with that and are agile to it.

"We need to be as efficient as we can to be able to deal with it."

Two more public meetings are scheduled for next week on Tuesday at Bunscoill Rhumsaa at 7pm and the following day at Old Friends Club on Finch Road in Douglas from 6.30pm.

Police say Covid-19 mitigations will be in place at each meeting with masks, hand sanitiser and contact details requested from those attending.

Anyone with Coronavirus symptoms is being asked not to show-up.