RESIDENTS from Tavistock and the surrounding area who need to see the police in the town should call 101 to make an appointment.

The advice follows a question asked during the town council's public session, in which a resident queried how it was possible to see officers, following the opening of the new police station at Abbey Rise.

Sgt Dave Anning this week said: 'You just ring 101, which is the new national number for non-emergency contact with the police.

'The call handlers have access to our calendars and can make an appointment for someone to be seen at a set time. The officer will meet them and do whatever is required, for example, take a statement or take possession of property.'

Sgt Anning said the system was not '100% fail-safe' as the police remained an emergency service.

'Sometimes people get called out, but the officer should have the caller's phone number in that event and be able to ring them to re-arrange.

'This is how most police stations in the country that don't have enquiry offices work now.'