Police on patrol in QEH corridors
POLICE have started regular patrols at Lynn's Queen Elizabeth Hospital as part of a drive to step up safety and security.
Hospital spokesman, Richard Humphries, said officers would now include the hospital's grounds and corridors – seen as its "streets" – as part of their regular patrol work.
The move follows months of behind-the-scenes negotiations between the hospital trust and Norfolk Police, that, at one stage, might even have included having a small police station on site.
"However, the police view is that they would prefer officers to be patrolling rather than sitting behind a desk," said Mr Humphries, adding that the hospital has been included within the beat of the Safer Neighbourhood community policing team, which patrols the Fairstead and Springwood estates.
Crime prevention is high on the list of priorities for the officers who started their new duties last week.
Mr Humphries added: "A hospital is a public building and, as such, reflects the local community.
"Most of our visitors are extremely well behaved but there will always be an element including troublemakers and petty criminals, the same as you might find on any town centre street."
QEH Security Management Specialist Gary Morris said his number one priority was the protection of staff, patients and visitors from anti-social behaviour and crime.
"We are extremely pleased to have made this arrangement with Norfolk Constabulary. This will give additional reassurance to our staff, patients and visitors that we regard their well-being as our top priority and highlights our close working partnership with the police and other emergency services.
"As with most NHS hospitals, police are frequent visitors either to deal with incidents on site or to interview people who may have been the victims of crime or accidents."
He thought the new patrols would act as a visible deterrent. Already, a warning has gone out to staff not to leave valuable items on display in cars - a situation found to be "severely wanting" in the past.
An extensive CCTV network which is monitored by the town centre CCTV team also covers the hospital grounds.
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Weather for King's Lynn
Sunday 27 May 2012
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