Police to learn Polish in a bid to deal with migrant workers

Beat bobbies, front desk staff and community support officers at Lincolnshire Police will learn basic Polish phrases from February.

Polish is the most commonly used language amongst the county's migrant workforce, police say.

But community engagement co-ordinator John Horton said staff will not be expected to become fluent.

He said: "The training is a few basic words and phrases and how to pronounce Polish names.

"Being able to say hello to someone in their language is a good start to fostering good community relations."

Staff working in Lincoln, Gainsborough and Sleaford will receive the lessons.

Chief Superintendent Alec Wood said: "The key to neighbourhood policing is making communities feel safer and reducing crime.

"But maybe there are some communities that we have not been able to reach so this is a starting point in getting our message across."