EARLIER this week, we sat down with Acting Chief Inspector Leanne Archer, who is district commander of policing in Harlow.

Next month, a substantive chief inspector will be taking over. Inspector Archer has 21 years service and there is something old school, traditional about her. We take that as very reassuring.

Insp Archer is proud to wear the uniform, proud to be in a disciplined service and proud to serve her community. But we got the feeling that Insp. Archer is far from a soft touch. There is a steeliness about her and a total commitment to our community that is both admirable and reassuring.

Here is our interview

Q. In what ways has policing changed since you started in 2004?

A: Policing has changed in every aspect. Criminal behaviour, technology, the types of crime, like fraud. That is how crime has changed. Policing has changed. We have a different level and approach to investigation as well.

Policing on the front line is the same as when I started. It is all down to communication. Talking to people. Making people have trust and confidence in the police.

Q. Is policing better or different or both?

Policing is better and different. We are understanding policing and crime patterns. We are data driven, we are intelligence driven. But we are still all about people.

We have a strong multi-agency partnership with Harlow Council, with charities, with partners. Working together we are better, especially with a priority of prevention. That is far far better than just pursuing.

Q. You worked closely with the previous Chief Inspector, Paul Austin. What did you learn?

We worked closely for a year and Mr Austin not only worked to build up partnerships in the town but also was dedicated to fighting crime. He liked to be out with the troops. He was a real role model.

Q. Is Harlow a complex area to police?

Yes. We have a train line that runs in and out of London. We border London and Hertfordshire. We have a major hospital. And a town close to 100,000. It is multi-faceted.

Q. Our readers will be concerned with a number of recent incidents. Without going into details, can you reassure our readers at all?

Over the last year, we have seen a reduction of overall crime by 12.5% We have seen a reduction of violent crime by 8% however, we want to get that down further.

Q. But Harlow residents don’t feel that. We get the impression, that they don’t feel safe.

A. I understand that. With reference to three incidents, people have been arrested. Enquiries are on-going. People have been arrested early. There hasn’t been long drawn investigations.

Perception is a battle but we want to assure Harlow residents, we are attending incidents and we are locking people up.

We are listening to the community. We want people to help us. There is Crimestoppers.

Q. But if residents go to the Essex Crime Commissioner website, they will see hundreds and hundreds of unsolved crimes. How can you reassure people regarding that?

A: Yes but our levels are lower than local and national averages. With solved rates, there is no context. And that work both ways. We are arresting people, working with probation and the Crown Prosecution Service. We all are working together.

We have been working with schools and colleges.

Q. This will bring us to the subject of knife crime

Yes, we have three priorities: Education. Speak and engage with young people. Early intervention is key. But we are building up relationships. Our work with young people is key.

Q.How has the knife arch and live recognition cameras been received?

Really well. A lot of very positive results and great feedback. Again, it is about working with the community. The law abiding community and remember that is the vast vast majority of Harlow residents.

We are also communicating with people via Essex Dispatch, Neighbourhood Watch and of course, local media.

Our community is so important. Take something like shoplifting. Yes, it is a challenge but again we are identifying suspects, arresting people but again, all that is done in partnership with the shops and the people of Harlow

Q. Finally, would you encourage a young person to join the job, like the 18-year-old Leanne Archer?

A: Absolutely. It is the best job with the best colleagues. There is tremendous job satisfaction. When you hear someone say thank you, that means the world.