SEVERAL weeks into his new job as community constable for Hatherleigh and Highampton, PC Mark Hoar is absolutely loving it!
The man who left the Metropolitan Police and came home to Tavistock to open a health club only to rejoin the police force shortly after, admits he is in his element as a community policeman.
PC Hoar, 39, has taken over from Des Law, who retired from the force after being responsible for Hatherleigh for many years.
'I moved to Okehampton in October 2000 and went on patrol with Des in Hatherleigh and Highampton and became very involved all through the foot and mouth crisis,' he said. 'When his job became available I was really keen to take it on.
'Being a community constable is a very rewarding and fulfilling job because it is still done with some old-fashioned values.'
He said he found the people very friendly and was forming good relationships with the community and the two schools.
'There is very little crime in the Hatherleigh area, but I am concentrating on quality of life issues and anti-social behaviour,' he said. 'The schools are very keen to promote a good relationship with the police and I have talked to nine different groups so far about policing issues.'
Being in the police force is something of a family tradition with PC Hoar's father, Terry, a former officer, and his stepbrother, David, a special constable.
If any groups in the Hatherleigh and Highampton area wish to receive a talk from PC Hoar they should contact him at Okehampton Police Station on 08705 777444.