8th July 2011

SIDMOUTH: Police work with community to tackle vandalism

By Huw Hennessy

Sidmouth police are considering liaising with local community groups such as Neighbourhood Watch to ward off vandalism in the town.

At the latest meeting of Sidmouth Town Council Councillor Ann Liverton told the town’s Neighbourhood Beat Manager PC Jim Tyrrell, that the council had received reports of serious damage to flower displays in gardens around the town.

They reported that Connaught Gardens, the parish church, and the three-cornered plot were all targeted last week in an apparent spate of vandalism.

PC Tyrrell said that Sidmouth police had not received reports of these incidences, but that they would remain vigilant against further such attacks.

He reminded councillors, however, that with the new policing structure for the area being based in Response Hubs, the police will depend on being contacted by the public to come to the town to deal with specific incidences.

He said: “We may not be here as much as you may like. Times have changed and that’s the way things are.”

With judging of the Sidmouth-in-Bloom competition coming up next week, councillors suggested to PC Tyrrell that Neighbourhood Watch and other local groups could keep alert around the town, and contact the police if any trouble arose.

Town council Chairman Councillor Stuart Hughes said that in Totnes, for instance, church-run “street wardens” patrol the town in pairs, often until late into the night.

PC Tyrrell agreed with the suggestions of liaising with local groups, which he said he would discuss with fellow police officers and let the council know their future plan.

He also spoke to The Weekender after the meeting and confirmed that local police takes vandalism seriously. “We obviously want to help protect the town, and we will come down hard on anyone found committing these sorts of crimes,” he said.

“The important thing though is that the public needs to contact us if they see anything.”

Sidmouth Police can be contacted by phoning 08452 777444 (for non emergencies).