Hounslow police have released a three-month progress report on their Safer Neighbourhood Teams (SNTs) stating that they are "making a real difference to local people".

Superintendent Simon Phipps praised the work of the SNTs stating that they have dealt with more than 4,000 local issues since April, with officers having met up with more than 7,000 locals to listen to their views.

Supt Phipps said: "Safer Neighbourhood Teams are still developing but already we can see the benefits of having local officers provide local solutions to problems. We are working harder than ever to listen to the views of our community."

More than 700 arrests have been made by SNT officers since April and 100 yobs have been warned about antisocial behaviour, Supt Phipps added.

But, at the recent Isleworth and Brentford Area Committee meeting, Cllr Paul Fisher of the Isleworth Community Group drew attention to the fact that many of the SNTs are understaffed.

The SNTs should each contain six community officers according to police guidelines but, as Cllr Fisher pointed out, each of the SNTs covering Syon, Osterley, Brentford and Isleworth only have four or five team members at present. Inspector Lindsey Hannigan, of Brentford police, said that the local force was currently seeking further recruits and assured councillors that the SNTs would be up to full strength by September.

Supt Phipps also revealed that he will be taking part in several "street surgeries" over the next few months where officers hold pre-arranged, open-air advice sessions with members of the public.

Hounslow police have recently launched an internet chat room with Hounslow Youth Services to find out what locals think of the borough's officers. It can be found at younghounslow.proboards51.com.