POLICE in Teignmouth and Dawlish have introduced its new policing team to tackle criminal damage and anti-social behaviour in the community. The neighbourhood policing initiative aims to have a well-known officer for every neighbourhood. The force-wide restructuring means that a sergeant is in charge of community issues. Teignmouth-based Sgt Russell Dawe heads a team including PC Phil Colley in Teignmouth and PC Joy Stoppard in Shaldon, Bishopsteignton, Stokeinteignhead, Combeinteignhead and Ideford. They are supported by community support officers Saul Bunce, Craig Francis, Ann Haywood and Colin Rider. In Dawlish, PC Kevin Parsons works with support officers Gary Cairns and Neil Woolridge. PC Rob Tansley covers the Starcross, Dawlish Warren, Kenton, Mamhead and Ashcombe patch with support officer Debbie Say. The community wardens for the district are Vanessa Pike and Liz Francis. Under the old scheme, Teignmouth had four neighbourhood police officers in the town centre, eastward and Bishopsteignton, westward and rural areas. The new schemes mean these officers are freed up for other duties. Sgt Dawe said: 'The main aims of the team are to be visible in their neighbourhoods, tackling criminal damage and anti-social behaviour along with issues causing the community concern and to reduce the fear of crime. 'Each member of the team should be identifiable and residents should be aware of who their team is,' he said. A number of meetings to bring the police and community together are being held this month. The PACT meetings look at priorities for tackling crime in the community. To find out more, telephone 08452 777444.
