COMMUNITY policing is suffering in Beaconsfield because of staffing shortages say police, although they insist it is still a top priority.

Sergeant Gerry Lister, of Beaconsfield police, told a public meeting last week that they are having to borrow staff from Gerrards Cross.

He added: "We have no traffic warden. We are advertising and we have had some good responses.

But he said: "I'm borrowing staff from Gerrards Cross to deal with community policing."

"With reactive policing there is no problem but they will come from Amersham and deal with all the requests of the public."

Community policing includes problem-solving issues such as targeting burglary and car crime, major problems in Beaconsfield.

However, Sergeant Lister said although they have lost staff, they are making progress with potential recruits coming forward.

Town councillor Malcolm Dunlop (Con, North Ward) said that policing and fear of crime always come out top of the list when they survey residents' concerns.

But added: "I would be more worried if they were not bringing staff in, but the problem is that Beaconsfield has a small police station and just two people being off sick can create a problem of under-staffing."

He said that Chief Constable Charles Pollard told a meeting of council leaders recently that rural policing would be one of their priorities when recruiting more officers.

Margaret Dewar, a member of the Thames Valley Police Authority who also lives in Beaconsfield, has pledged to support rural areas in her new position.

She believes there are still not enough bobbies on the beat in Beaconsfield to help tackle residents' fear of crime and make them "feel safe in their own homes".

But Sgt Lister said they are planning more high profile patrols in the town.

He added: "We do realise the importance of high profile patrols and the staffing situation is in hand."