THE new beat manager for the villages around Thornbury is keen to forge close links with the communities he serves.

PC Roger Hopes took up the post of Alveston beat manager this week and is keen to get his face known in places like Aust, Elberton. Falfield, Littleton-on-Severn, Oldbury-on-Severn, Olveston and Rockhampton.

PC Hopes, who has taken over from PC Paul Chorley, has been a member of the team in Thornbury for the last three years and before that worked out of Bristol's Trinity Road police station for 14 years.

He will continue to be based at Thornbury police station now that his role has changed to cover the villages surrounding the town covering the area between the River Severn and the M5 from Aust in the south to Hill in the north.

"I already know the area pretty well," said Patchway-born PC Hopes.

"I intend to provide a visible police presence in and around the villages and I'm already getting round and meeting parish councils.

"I'm sure people will soon get to know me through regular beat surgeries and Neighbourhood Watch meetings and will get used to seeing me around. I like to be fit and I'm going to try and get around by bike as much as I can.

Anyone who can't get along to one of the regular sessions can contact me through the Alveston beat page of the force website - www.avonandsomerset.police.uk - or by contacting Thornbury police station on 0117 945 5959 where messages can also be left."

"In an emergency, obviously, people should call 999.

Outside work PC Hopes - married with two teenaged daughters- has a passion for life on two wheels. As well as push-biking to and from work, he is also a keen motorcyclist.