THE police are to be given a free parking space in Tavistock's Guildhall car park, after a decision to refuse the request last week was overturned.

Cllr Lynne Rose questioned the recommendation of the town council's properties committee during last week's full council meeting.

She said: 'It seems to be quite logical that the police retain a car park space there, so they are more visible within the town.'

Cllr Dick Eberlie agreed: 'I am quite anxious about this decision. We do need to maintain their presence in the town.'

Cllr Mandy Ewings said: 'I do think this decision is a little churlish. Particularly at night it would be good if there was a police car that could be seen, while they are out on foot patrol.'

Cllr Brian Trew said: 'I think it would be a good idea to have a dedicated space for the police there, and to encourage the police to park there. I propose we have one space clearly marked as a police bay.'

But Cllr Ashley Tossell was opposed to the move. He said: 'If they can't walk down from the police station, then there's something wrong with them.

'If they're in a police car, I think they can park anywhere. I am a supporter of the police but I don't see there's a need for them to have a space there — I would sooner see a policeman walking around the town than seeing an empty police car parked outside the Guildhall.'

Cllr John Sellis said he thought reserving a parking bay for the police was a waste of precious space — he thought it would be 'empty nine times out of ten' in any case and it was 'ridiculous' to assume that if a police car was parked in the car park, an officer was on patrol in the town.

Cllr Ted Sherrell said: 'If you want to see something in the town with police marked on it, you want to see a man or a woman in uniform, you want the presence of a person, a car parked there will make no difference at all — they don't need a space.'

The council carried Cllr Trew's proposal by eight votes to six.

After the vote, town mayor Philip Sanders said the council through its decision had 'wasted space in the car park for ever and a day'.

'I would suggest this council might want to review this in the future — certainly on the basis of how much it is being used,' he said.

Sgt Dave Anning, of Tavistock police, said uniformed officers worked in two departments.

'The neighbourhood teams work most frequently on foot — though obviously those who don't work in the town have to drive to their beats,' he said.

'Response officers on the other hand are the ones who attend our "immediate" and "prompt" incidents. They have to be able to go immediately anywhere in West Devon and often beyond.

'As such they need to be within a minute or two of their car if they are going to patrol on foot. A space in the town centre will allow officers to do this.

'They can't simply abandon their car or park illegally — and if anyone sees this happen, please report it as it is a disciplinary matter as well as a traffic offence.'