A NEW police enquiry office has opened in Frome.

The new venue, in the police station at the Wessex Fields retail park, aims to “better serve local residents and provide a welcoming public access point into the station”.

It will be open between 10am and 1.30pm, and from 2.15pm to 6pm, Monday to Friday, is wheelchair accessible, and an induction loop is installed for use with hearing aids.

Visitor parking is available and there is an outside phone for use when the enquiry office is closed.

Superintendent Lisa Simpson, of Avon & Somerset Police, said: “Public engagement is at the heart of policing, and the new enquiry office will help ensure our local team are reachable and connected to communities.

“Strengthening the relationship between enquiry officers and our neighbourhood policing team, will in turn improve the service we provide for the public.”

READ MORE: Frome news from your Somerset Leveller

Police and Crime Commissioner Clare Moody said: “I’m happy to have supported this development. Putting the enquiry office with the police team makes sense and will mean a better service for the people of Frome.”

The enquiry office was previously based at Frome Library and the force said there will be no impact on officer numbers in Frome, while patrols will stay the same.

From left: Supt Lisa Simpson, Inspector Rachel Clark, PCSO Lou Perry, PC John Ross-Osborne, Enquiry Officer Nicky Gold and PCSO Will Mortimer outside the new police enquiry office in Frome

At the Frome police enquiry office, visitors can:

• Report crimes in person
• Receive signposting to other services and offering advice
• Get face-to-face support with policing enquiries
• Hand in found property (only certain items are applicable)
• Access services relating to handling and returning seized/evidential property
• Get help with seized vehicles
• Safely and legally surrender firearms and knives
• Hand in suspected counterfeit currency
• Access support with enquiries about Clare’s Law and Sarah’s Law

For more on the Frome Enquiry Office, including up-to-date opening times and more, visit www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/contact/police-stations/frome-enquiry-office. And for more on the Frome Neighbourhood Policing Team, see www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/your-area/frome-town.

READ MORE: Crime news from your Somerset Leveller