New village sergeant to tackle youngsters

Mr Bacchus has completed his first week as new sergeant for Chalfont St Peter and clearly means business. Previously a sergeant at Chesham and Amersham police stations, Mr Bacchus joined the police 12 years ago after several years in retail and as a volunteer youth worker.
"The police can't always get it right and we can't always be in the right place at the right time, but we will be tackling anti-social behaviour as a priority before it gets worse," he said.
"I want to teach people to respect the place they live in and their neighbours, and the police is one of several agencies that can help. The parish council, Bucks County Council and Paradigm Housing are all partners that we find helpful," he said.
He praised the youth club and churches for their "joined-up" contribution and said he plans to recruit a youth outreach worker to spend more time in the village.
He added: "There is a handful of youths and we will be focusing on them and breathing down their necks. They will be looking over their shoulders because if they don't respect other residents, we will be dealing with them. We will have a sustained police approach, not just sticking-plasters."
Citing off-road driving as an example of a crime that often remains unreported, Mr Bacchus said he wants more people to call Crimestoppers and to join either their local NAG neighbourhood action group or the village old people's action group in Chalfont St Peter.
"People often don't think that something is important enough, so people suffer in silence. This must stop because we're here to help," he said.
Crimestoppers is on 0800 555111 and Chalfont St Peter NAG is on 01753 886687