Operation Park and Walk (source Lincolnshire Police)

More police officers will be walking the beat in rural Lincolnshire - as a result of a new initiative, Operation Park and Walk.

The operation, which will be launched on Monday April 30, is designed to boost traditional foot patrols in Lincolnshire's rural communities. All three Police divisions across the county will take part in the scheme, which will involve uniformed officers of all ranks as well as traffic officers and dog handlers.

Each officer will be directed to park his or her vehicle for a minimum of one hour per day and use that time to patrol on foot. While on foot patrol, the officers will be expected to deal with incidents they encounter, gather intelligence, visit vulnerable victims, provide crime reduction advice, liase with community groups and members such as Neighbourhood Watch and licensees and identify any licensing problems.

The patrols will be directed at identified crime and disorder 'hotspots' within the county's villages and rural communities.

Assistant Chief Constable Jon Stoddart said: "We are aware that the people of Lincolnshire want us to be visible and accessible. This initiative is aimed at improving our visibility and accessibility and by doing so, increasing public confidence in community-based policing."

Initially the operation will run for six months. The success and impact of the patrols will be monitored and evaluated. Surveys will be carried out amongst the public to seek their thoughts on the value of the scheme.

Launch Operation Park and Walk will be launched by the Chief Constable Richard Childs QPM and Assistant Chief Constable Jon Stoddart on Monday April 30 (2pm) in Welton Village Centre. The media are invited to attend. Throughout Lincolnshire on that same afternoon, a number of Sector Inspectors will lead similar launches within their own areas. Details of these will be released later this week.