26/01/2007 00:00
TW
0
Staff Reporter

PALMA
PALMA'S Local Police Force's Preventative Action group (GAP) is now up and running with its neighbourhood watch patrols ensuring that residents living near trouble spots in Palma are feeling safer in their homes.

The units started the first two of their tours of duty between 6.30 and 7.30pm yesterday, in Plaza Venerable Alzina in the district of Son Gotleu, and in Plaza Almirall Churruca in the district of Son Armadams.

Around 1.30am the following morning, they started other patrols in Plazas Santa Pagesa, Rutlo, Immaculada, Porta de Santa Catalina, and in Sant Jordi. Six GAP officers on motorcycles and two more in a van patrolled Son Gotleu, supported by officers from the Rapid Intervention Unit (UII).

Their presence in the area was noticed by the residents, many of whom approached the officers to ask if something had happened.
Palma Local Police deputy inspector Joan Antoni Pomar said that the work of the GAP group is “to put pressure on delinquents by offering alternative solutions, and we have already established contacts with the social services”. “The intention is for the police presence not to be repressive but to reason with offenders and thus avoid conflict”, he said.