POLICE presence in the Callington area is about to step up a gear with the news that a second police community support officer will be in post in a matter of weeks. Nicole Garcia will undergo three weeks of training at Seale Hayne college on January 2, before starting her duties at Callington under the guidance of PC Jim Hunter and PCSO Mark Stribley. The appointment of a second officer will allow the police to increase their visibility in the Gunnislake area, where they hope to set up a satellite station. Callington Sergeant Brett Phillips said: 'I am absolutely delighted our second PCSO has been appointed and it's sooner than we anticipated.' The appointment of PCSO Mark Stribley has been a great success in Callington where he has built up a good liaison with the public and helped to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour which has dogged the town in recent years. There were fears that the new support officers might not be appointed in the wake of Home Office funding cut-backs, which has left the recruitment of extra PCSOs in doubt but the cuts have not affected the town. Gunnislake councillor Mike Greenwood said with the police as stretched as they were, the neighbourhood beat officer for the parish was not available as much as the public would like, so a dedicated PCSO officer was good news. 'It's good for relationships between the police and the community and will allow the officer to build up a picture of what goes on in their own patch,' he said. 'A satellite police station will also enable people to speak to the police without having to rely on a police switchboard system, which does not always give them the answers they want.' Callington town councillor Jeremy Gist, a former special constable, said he very much welcomed the improvement of community policing in the area. 'The police community support officer scheme has been very successful with Mark Stribley, because he was the right man for the job and he has become part of the community,' he said. 'He relates to all sectors of the community and has the ability to talk to people which is the most essential skill for any policeman or woman.' PCSOs are considered to be key in tackling low level crime and building community relationships, not only with the police but also partner agencies, addressing issues which matter most to local communities. They deal with anti-social behaviour, underage drinking, truancy and abandoned and unlicensed vehicles. They have limited powers which include the power of detention, issuing fixed penalty notices and the confiscation and disposal of alcohol from under 18s.
