PROGRESS is being reported across the board with policing issues in Gorleston's by the town's safer neighbourhood team.Patrols have been stepped up in the Beach Road area during peak periods which has resulted in a fall in reports of criminal damage.

PROGRESS is being reported across the board with policing priorities in Gorleston's by the town's safer neighbourhood team.

Patrols have been stepped up in the Beach Road area during peak periods which has resulted in a fall in reports of criminal damage.

The police beach base opened in July and was staffed on 29 of the 40 days available.

Reports of tombstoning, where thrill-seekers jump in to the sea from dangerous heights, have decreased substantially.

An arrangement was established with lifeguards to call for police assistance in unsafe conditions.

A total of five incidents were reported and a plan to deal with persistent offenders was not implemented as there were no instances of repeat jumpers.

Following the successful introduction of security cameras on the town's High Street, consultations are taking place about funding for CCTV on the seafront and Beach Road area.

Traffic calming measures are being looked at for Beach Road following a survey carried out by PCSO Merritt and traffic manager David Law.

PCSO Merritt reported that over the last five weeks the seafront area had suffered incidents of two incidents of criminal damage - one on Beach Road and the other on the seafront.

There were just two crime reports, the theft of a cycle and criminal damage to shop. Items of property were recovered on several occasions and returned to owners.

July's Cliff Top Festival was hailed as a success with a visible police presence ensuring the event passed by without major problems.

The team dealt with a number of missing person enquiries - two of an urgent nature and due to the presence and assistance of officers the missing persons were quickly found.

A total of 200 wristbands were given to children visiting the beach for the day, ensuring any who went missing could be quickly reunited with their family.

Illegal parking along zigzag lines was prevented by life guards who placed cones out to deal with the problem.

Confidence and satisfaction surveys were carried out during beach base opening times and the results were vey positive.

The SNT has recruited new co-ordinators for the Homewatch scheme and is continuing to recruit more with the aim of covering Gorleston Police local delivery unit.

Homewatch schemes will be supported by PCSO's who will liaise with their coordinators once a month to exchange information and intelligence.