A HIGH visibility police presence and problem solving are at the heart of the new neighbouring policing strategy in Devon and Cornwall — but the loss of two constables at Callington Police Station has raised concerns. Under re-organisation coming into force this month, which puts community issues and priorities at the heart of local policing, there will be four uniformed officers based at Callington, instead of five. But unlike in the past. neighbourhood beat officers will not be tied up with lengthy investigation work taking them away from the streets. They will be highly visible and engaging with the community on a regular basis in a bid to reduce the fear of crime and deal with issues that really matter to residents. Neighbourhood beat manager at Callington Jamie Gilbert, who has been at the station for a year, is returning to his former job as a response officer, and WPC Rachel Ellis, who covered Stoke Climsland and Callington, is moving to Saltash. PC Jim Hunter, who was neighbourhood beat manager for Gunnislake and Calstock, will now take on the mantle for the whole of the geographical area covered by Callington police station. He will be assisted by police community support officers (PCSOs) Mark Stribley and Nicole Garcia and Sgt Brett Phillips leading the neighbourhood team. Callington town councillor Jeremy Gist has accused the Government of providing policing 'on the cheap' by replacing police constables with PCSOs. He said only time would tell whether the reality matched the positive spin being put on the new look neighbourhood policing. PCSOs complement the work of police officers by focusing predominantly on lower level crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour. Their primary role is to provide an accessible and reassuring presence to the communities they serve. 'Callington has been very fortunate because PCSO Mark Stribley has been extremely active and as far as Joe Public is concerned if they see a uniformed officer on the street they are happy people,' said Cllr Gist, a former special constable. 'But the bottom line is we are going to see fewer and fewer policemen and women and more PCSOs because they are a lot cheaper. 'PC Gilbert spent 90 per cent of his time off the streets doing investigation work, but that does not change the fact that we are losing manpower at Callington.' The town council has paid for periods of extra policing to tackle problems of anti-social behaviour and has written several letters to the chief constable over the past couple of years asking for more officers at Callington. Sgt Phillips said it was not a case of not really losing officers but deploying them in a different way. 'Officers will be highly visible with the main focus being on problem solving and reducing anti-social behaviour and crime,' he said. 'Previously, neighbourhood beat managers were frequently tasked with dealing with protracted investigations but the new force structure will look at formulating teams for investigating crime. 'Police at Callington will be engaging the public more, going to public meetings and looking at long-term problem solving. 'People have their reservations about PCSOs but they assume many roles of a police constable and their powers are being extended and are under review.' Members of the public can now contact Callington police station with non-urgent matters by email at: [email protected]">[email protected].p olice.uk or phone 01752 854523 (voicemail) or the police general number 08745 777444. Callington has also set up a private arrangement whereby people can contact PCSOs Mark Stribley and Nicola Garcia by mobile phone.