REPORTS that police plan to sever their involvement in carnivals and other community events where they manage traffic has left town councillors in Callington furious.

Although no official announcement is expected for a few weeks, Callington town councillors understand that the police will no longer be providing officers for the purposes of road closures for civic and community events.

The move is likely to have significant cost implications for parish councils and Cornwall Council who will have to provide manpower and equipment such as traffic cones and diversion signs.

It is feared that some events will be cancelled because of the work involved and possible safety implications for civilians managing traffic.

Cornwall councillor Andrew Long said it was not only the carnival that would be affected — last year ten police officers were involved in managing traffic — but also the fireworks display in November, the Remembrance parade and the civic service and parade.

'I am very annoyed about this and the fact that there has been no consultation on it,' he said.

'We have been told there will be an official announcement in May, but by then it is too late to organise a carnival which is in July. We need to look at what we can do now to make sure it goes ahead.'

Cllr Long has requested an urgent meeting with the police inspector: 'The carnival has rolling road closures and this works because of the police involvement.

'Officers can hold up the traffic for a period of five minutes but now we will have to ask people who are not experienced to do it.

'If the police pull out of this they have lost what community policing is all about — for two hours a year at the carnival the police make a very good impression with the public and it shows up the good relationship that exists between the town council and the police.

'We have no criticism of the police in Callington because they are brilliant. This decision is something that has come down from high.'

Cllr Jeremy Gist said there would inevitably be cost implications because the county would not provide road closures and notices for nothing: 'It is going to mean a lot of work and money to put on events now and I am sure some organisers will just not bother because of the hassle.'

It is believed the Devon and Cornwall force is one of only a few constabularies left in the country that manages traffic at local events. It it usually the responsibility of the local authorities.

A Devon and Cornwall police spokesman said: 'We are currently in the process of commencing communications with local authorities and negotiations with event organisers over how traffic management at pre-planned events will be dealt with in the future.'

A spokesman for Cornwall Council said: 'Cornwall Council is aware that Devon and Cornwall police are withdrawing from traffic management at events and the council is currently working on a transition policy.'