A DEPRIVED area of Trowbridge has been chosen to trial a new policing initiative.

The Adcroft ward of Trowbridge, which includes the Seymour Estate, is one of three areas in the county chosen as pilot sites for the national Neighbourhood Policing scheme.

Inspector Dave Cullop of Trowbridge Police said: "This is about listening to people in the community and what their problems are.

"It is also about tackling the fear of crime. The actual volume of crime doesn't match the level of fear of crime.

"Neighbourhood policing will increase our presence on the streets and increase communication between ourselves, our partner agencies and the community."

The project is already underway with a dedicated team of officers, led by Pc Dave Thompson, undertaking initial community consultation. Pc Thompson said: "The whole idea is that we build relationships within the community, working with other agencies such as the town council and housing societies to help address local issues."

Pc Thompson will be joined on the team by PCSOs Julie Higdon and Vicky White, special constable Alan Petrie and section officer Andy Hunt. Eddie Brookes, chairman of the Seymour Tenants and Residents Association, said: "I think it is a very good idea. They seem to be settling in and being welcomed.

"The feedback I have got from people is that they welcome it and it does make them feel more secure. "There is a sense of apathy because this sort of thing has been tried before for a few months and then they go, but this is here to stay."

Adcroft was chosen to take part in the trial after a wide range of criteria were used to look at the whole county. The criteria include crime figures but also a wide range of other information including residents' age and health, truancy levels, type of housing and even the proportion of homes with central heating.

If the scheme succeeds in trial areas it will be rolled out across the country, with plans to also increase the number of Police Community Support Officers. The government has said Wiltshire could have up to 206 PCSOs by 2008, with 75 per cent of funding for those to come from central government.

The team at Adcroft are the only team in Wiltshire to carry a mobile phone specifically for people in the area to be able to speak to them directly. Phone 07837 326002.