Officers from the Southwold and Halesworth Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) are recycling police jumpers by donating them to a community-based initiative to provide emergency packs for local communities.

Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Gary Wallace from the SNT has organised for the second hand police uniform jumpers to be donated to the Community Emergency Group (CEG) packs.

The CEG was set up to help residents of Southwold and Reydon with unforeseen incidents such as flooding, and members decided to create ‘emergency packs’ located at specific locations throughout the two parishes. The packs include first aid kits, torches, radios, high visibility clothing, an Operation Order containing contact details, plans and procedures and the police jumpers.

The Suffolk Constabulary uniform has recently been updated and the old jumpers are being replaced with fleeces.

PCSO Gary Wallace says, "I have been on the local committee for the Community Emergency Group for the last 18 months. It seemed a perfect opportunity to recycle the old jumpers and use them within the packs as they are very warm.

"When an emergency strikes it could be at any time so warm clothing is a necessity in these packs. I asked Chief Inspector Mike Bacon if we could use the old jumpers and once he agreed I acquired some from across the Force area."

Councillor Simon Tobin, Chairman of Community Engagement Group says, "The Southwold and Reydon Community Emergency Group would like to thank Police Community Support Officer Gary Wallace and Suffolk Police for the 20 used police jumpers donated to the group. These jumpers will be used in the event of an emergency ever happening in our area and will keep people warm if they have to be evacuated."