Community policing can be seen as putting bobbies back on the beat, or as a softly softly approach which deals more with public nuisance than crime. The decision by the chief constable of Strathclyde Police, Steve House, to direct 600 additional police officers in his force into community policing is much bolder than either.

Community policing can be seen as putting bobbies back on the beat, or as a softly softly approach which deals more with public nuisance than crime. The decision by the chief constable of Strathclyde Police, Steve House, to direct 600 additional police officers in his force into community policing is much bolder than either.

A greater emphasis on enforcement by community officers is the first priority in his new strategy. That should reassure the sceptics that this version of community policing will involve tougher tactics than running youth clubs to prevent young people engaging in vandalism and anti-social behaviour. Such initiatives will continue to have police involvement, but will be run by other people.

Four years ago, HM Inspectorate of Constabulary found that even within the single force of Strathclyde, the approach to communnity policing was inconsistent, the role of community officers misunderstood and given low status and that they were regularly called on for other duties. This confusion was seized on as an opportunity by the new chief constable. His new community policing model will ensure more officers engage with the public on a day-to-day basis. There is now considerable evidence that a visible police presence reduces crime. It is reduced further where police officers become known and trusted in a community. At that point, people report suspicious behaviour and low-level crimes to a much greater degree than when they are required to call out unknown officers. In turn, the police step in before minor crimes escalate.

The number of campus officers is to be increased in Strathclyde, where their presence has been found to reduce aggressive behaviour and encourage children to report bullying. Nevertheless, recent criticism by teachers at the Educational Institute of Scotland conference about the undefined role of police officers in schools is a reminder of the need for absolute clarity and that successful community policing requires the co-operation of the community.

Almost half of the 1000 additional police officers pledged in the SNP manifesto will go to Strathclyde, but the total can be achieved only by redeployment and the retention of some of the high number due to retire, in addition to new recruits. An additional 200 will be funded by contributions from councils. In return, the community officers will have a round-the-clock presence and be less likely to be diverted to other duties. That is a new template which could reinforce local accountability. In addition to employing more civilians to release staff for police duties, as we report in today's Focus, the Strathclyde force has also begun a streamlining exercise to reduce the number of high-ranking officers and increase the proportion on the frontline. Mr House is right to make that front line the community.