OKEHAMPTON Chamber of Trade is calling for an urgent meeting with the town's new police inspector following an increase in town centre crime and concerns from local businesses and residents.
Ian Bailey said he wrote to new inspector Sally Hutchings two weeks ago requesting a meeting, but had not yet received a reply.
'We have always had a very good relationship with the police here in Okehampton and I hope that will continue,' he said. 'It was evident from the Okehampton Times last week that people are unhappy with the police cover at the moment and this needs to be addressed.'
A petition for more officers has been started by local businesses following criminal damage to shops on Friday and Saturday nights.
Okehampton was able to operate a
zero-tolerance policy last year thanks to an increase in police cover at weekends and pro-active policing.
'Patently, we could see how much of an improvement there was last year, but if things go on the way they are at the moment we will be a high incident area instead of a low crime area.
'I was very disappointed to find that funding had been withdrawn for extra officers in the town, and the results speak for themselves,' added Mr Bailey.
Sgt Alastair Davison said Insp Hutchings, who took over from Insp Keith Perkin in June, was currently away on leave.
'The police are very interested in meeting with members of the community who would like to discuss any issues with us or have any points to raise,' said Sgt Davison, who has also recently joined Okehampton police.