ROYSTON S new Neighbourhood Sergeant has vowed to continue the good work of his predecessor. Sgt Jon Vine took the post on a temporary basis following the death of Sgt Richard Jones, who passed away suddenly in February this year while on holiday abroad.

ROYSTON'S new Neighbourhood Sergeant has vowed to continue the good work of his predecessor.

Sgt Jon Vine took the post on a temporary basis following the death of Sgt Richard Jones, who passed away suddenly in February this year while on holiday abroad.

He has now joined the Royston team permanently.

He said: "I was keen to take on my friends' role and build on the excellent work he did in the town in his time as Sergeant here. I am also extremely pleased that this role has become permanent for me as I enjoyed working in Royston previously.

Sgt Vine has been with Hertfordshire Police for 13 years. He has spent his career working in North Herts and six years ago he worked as a Constable in Royston.

"In the last few months since being here I am pleased to say that we have managed to increase staffing within the Neighbourhood Team. We now have an additional officer, PC Mark Elwood, who covers The Heath ward," he said.

The new man added: "I have a strong belief in Neighbourhood Policing and working with communities. We are in a strong position at the moment with crime having been reduced 20 per cent in Royston in comparison to this time last year and I am looking forward to meeting people and sharing ideas to further reduce crime in the area."

"Surgeries take place regularly in the town where you can meet your local Neighbourhood Team. Please come and visit us to find out about the excellent work going in Royston and what is being done to make the town even safer," he said.

More information about when and where surgeries take place is available on the Safer Neighbourhood pages of www.herts.police.uk. Posters are also placed in the town advertising surgeries.