A REQUEST for free parking for the police in Tavistock's Guildhall Car Park was last week turned down, during a meeting in the town.

Members of the town council's properties committee heard that Sgt Dave Anning of Tavistock police had made the request, following the move by the force to the new police station at Abbey Rise. The current car parking agreement in the car park, which the police paid for, will end on February 25.

Town clerk Carl Hearn said Sgt Anning had asked for one parking bay to be retained for police use.

'He feels it's a way of ensuring a greater police presence in the town,' he said.

Cllr Julia Whitcomb and Cllr Sue Bailey said they felt seeing a police car parked in the town centre did provide valuable evidence of a police presence.

But town mayor Cllr Philip Sanders said: 'With due respect, they normally abandon their vehicles anywhere they want anyway. And has anyone seen a police car recently? I've not seen one for ages — how much will they pay us for this space?'

The committee was told the police felt the council might like to offer the space as 'a goodwill gesture'.

Cllr Ted Sherrell said as police cars were classed as emergency vehicles they could park where they wanted.

'At least until now they've been paying for the spaces — I move we don't grant this request.'

Cllr John Sellis agreed, adding: 'It's not exactly a million miles for them to walk down to town from the new station.'

The committee agreed to turn down the request — the decision was due to be ratified at Tuesday's meeting of the full council.