COUNCIL bosses rolled out the red carpet to welcome Halstead’s newest police recruit.

Halstead Town Council says it is pleased to be working with Essex Police after a new officer joined the community policing team in the area.

PC Karen Scott has been recruited to work in the town and also the surrounding villages.

She was introduced to the Halstead’s mayor, Mick Radley, and the town council’s “police champion” Garry Warren on Monday.

Mr Radley welcomed PC Scott to the town and said he looked forward to a “positive working relationship”.

He added: “Policing in the town has steadily and visibly improved during the last two years, largely due to the commitment of the officers in the local team.”

PC Scott will now join PC Craig Wheeler as a member of the Braintree Community Policing Team responsible for the Halstead area.

She said: “We are very lucky having two police community support officers and one special constable who also provide support specifically for the Halstead area.

“Myself and PC Wheeler have been working on developing and training more community special constables for Halstead.”

PC Scott joined Essex Police through a graduate scheme called Police Now.

It sees new recruits placed into community policing teams and sees them come up with solutions to long-term problems and neighbourhood issues.

PC Scott added: “This might involve working closely with partner agencies, such as housing associations, Braintree Council, schools, local businesses, as well as requesting support from specialist units within Essex Police to meet common objectives.

“I previously spent over 20 years working in various roles within education before making the change and joining the police.

“Whilst I loved working within education, I feel very pleased to have made the move.

“I am thoroughly enjoying my new job and feel privileged to be part of such a fantastically proactive team.”