HITTING the streets throughout West Devon next year will be 13 new police community support officers. The PCSOs will be joining Tavistock and Okehampton police stations by the end of next March as part of the police?s attempt at tackling local issues. Chris Stevens, chief inspector of Teignbridge, South Hams and West Devon, announced the news at the police authority liaison meeting last Wednesday in Tavistock College. He said: ?This is the largest increase in staff in such a short period of time we have had. ?This will allow neighbourhood beat managers more time to focus on more pressing matters, and allow time to create neighbourhood teams.? New Tavistock PCSO, Kevin Williams, explained how as a community officer they can deal with many quality of life issues. Their powers are sufficient to deal with minor disorder and to tackle anti-social behaviour, dog fouling, underage drinking, truancy and dealing with abandoned and unlicensed vehicles. He said: ?80 per cent of my job is walking the beat. Through getting information from you, you help me do my job.? They spend almost all their time in the communities they have been allocated to serve during 8am to 4 or 5pm, or 2pm to 10pm. They are part of the neighbourhood policing teams, investing time into local issues where the full powers of a police officer are not required. PCSO Williams said: ?If you see me on the street, stop me and have a chat. I can then gain information and go out and start tackling these issues.? In addition to the new intake of community officers, two PCSOs will be dedicated to the secondary schools in Tavistock and Okehampton. The next police authority meeting will be within the next six months. The authority is separate from the police and ensures effective and efficient police service.
