Neighbourhood policing is the most important thing the constabulary do, Chief Constable Gary Roberts has said.

In his annual report, Gary Roberts said: ’Having trusted, approachable and knowledgeable locally based officers is critically important in keeping the Isle of Man safe.’

Mr Roberts highlighted how the decision of the previous government to slash police budgets, which led to the closure of several police stations, had caused ’harm’ when neighbourhood policing had to be reduced.

He said: ’Everything happens somewhere and real people are involved, as victims, witnesses or suspects.

’Even the trafficking of Class A drugs happens in a place, involves people who live in communities and causes damage to individuals.’

Last year, Treasury Minister Alfred Cannan announced an extra £2.5m for the police force - the first budget increase since 2001.

Mr Roberts explained in his report that extra funding does not immediately translate into extra officers. It takes months from advertising to recruitment to the deployment of extra officers.

He added: ’As a result, the new neighbourhood teams only began to get into their stride during the third quarter of the year. Their efforts were then disrupted by the Covid-19 emergency.

’Our commitment to neighbourhood policing must not be seen as being a fad, or a passing phase.

’High quality, effective neighbourhood policing will enhance our quality of life and help head off the threats to it caused by organised criminal groups.

’The aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic will undoubtedly bring financial challenges, but it would be a real shame if the vital part played by neighbourhood policing in the wellbeing of our community were to be forgotten or overlooked.’