Police plan to put bobbies back into the community

SOUTH Devon police will be changing its structuring system with the aim to get policing teams back into the community.

In March, the current three sections, Torbay, Teignbridge and South Hams, will split into five.

Teignbridge will be broken down to East and West and the South Hams will divide into two, covering Totnes to Dartmouth and another area covering Ivybridge to Kingsbridge.

"The aim is to provide a better service," said Nikki Leaper, chief inspector for operations for South Devon.

Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk

myprint-247

View details

Print voucher

Our heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.

Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk

Contact: 01858 468192

Valid until: Sunday, June 30 2013

"There will be inspectors who will be in charge of resources instead of being managed centrally.

"Police will know the patch they work in and get the neighbourhood feel back.

"We have to have the right balance and think this restructure will achieve that."

She said the police teams aim to target anti-social behaviour and burglaries.

"We want to work on the crimes which really affect people," she said.

DI Leaper was pleased with the latest statistics, with crime figures being down by 1.3 per cent on last year, with 89 per cent of the public being confident the police are doing a good job, but she isn't complacent.

"We won't take our foot off the gas," she said.

She also praised the Herald Express Swagbag campaign, which helps to reunite stolen goods with their owners by publishing photos of the items.

"It's been a big success," she said.