'ADOPTING a block' is the latest scheme to combat crime. Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) have begun working with people living in flats. The scheme has already been proven to be successful. Two crack houses in the Somerset area have been shut do

'ADOPTING a block' is the latest scheme to combat crime.Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) have begun working with people living in flats.The scheme has already been proven to be successful. Two crack houses in the Somerset area have been shut down, due to police working closely with the residents. Chairman of the Police Authority, Dr Moira Hamlin, said: "The police authority is committed to the development of neighbourhood policing and has made significant investment to enable this to happen."The police are working closely with partners and local communities to resolve the issues that really matter to people in the areas where they live and work."The new scheme means each local community will have a dedicated neighbourhood team of police officers, PCSOs and special constables. Almost 550 additional uniformed police officers will be assigned to the Avon and Somerset area by April 2008.Assistant Chief Constable Steve Mortimore said: "It is a huge change for us to deliver but we are determined to do it. We want to see uniformed police out on every street."In other areas such as Manchester, it has improved peoples' faith in the police."Over the coming months, leaflets will be delivered to every household in the area, explaining the new PCSO scheme. The leaflets will tell residents who the members of their neighbourhood team are and give details on how to contact them.Police boundaries have also been adjusted, to align with town and parish boundaries, and officers will be working closely with local action teams to give people more opportunity to get involved. Projects such as OAP forums, skateparks for youths, antisocial behaviour contracts and graffiti projects are already well under way and have proven successful. Local district commander chief superintendent Tracy Hayler said: "In areas that already have PCSOs, the communities love them.