Great Western Coffee Shop

BTP officers to meet the public - and share a cuppa ^ at open forum in Neath

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PCSOs Kim Livingstone and Andy Rollingson will be at Neath rail station on Tuesday for the inaugural Tea with the Team event.

British Transport Police (BTP) officers are no mugs ^ and they^ll be out to prove as much by causing quite a stir in Neath Port Talbot next week.

Rail users are being given the opportunity to meet their local beat officers at a Tea with the Team event, where they can have their say on how the network is policed.

The newly-launched forum provides an opportunity for passengers, rail staff and local residents and business owners to speak to a member of the Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) about concerns and priorities for policing the railway.

PCSO Andy Rollingson, who has organised the inaugural event, said: ^Tea with the Team is a great opportunity for people to chat with us, their local officers, in an informal environment and discuss any problems they might have experienced on or around the railway. It really is an open forum, so we are happy to talk about any issues which impact on people^s quality of life and will listen to any concerns or comments passengers may have about policing and crime on the railways or at the stations. We will also be happy to provide information and advice on how to avoid becoming a victim of crime.

^Of course, there do not have to be any burning issues to discuss - if you just want to talk to us about our role and what BTP does then we will be more than happy to chat over a cuppa.^

PCSO Rollingson said the Tea with the Team session was the latest initiative in developing good relationships with the rail community. ^We have established really strong links with rail staff, passengers and various community groups throughout the area, and have already played a part in dealing with several issues brought to our attention,^ she added.

^We want to build on this, and Tuesday^s event at Neath station is an integral part of our commitment to engaging with rail users, staff and local residents. It is very important that people who regularly use trains and stations are able to have their say on how they are policed. We want to listen to their concerns and then do something about them. I hope people can take the time to come and meet us.^

Tea with the Team is held at the Blue Pullman Caf^, Neath rail station, on Tuesday, 5 February, between 1.30pm and 3.30pm.