police are slashing Newton Abbot's award winning CCTV coverage – responsible for recovering more than £100,000 worth of stolen goods in two years and nearly 1,500 arrests – by half.

Liaison officer Chris Long, the man responsible for much of its success since he came to Newton Abbot six years ago, has been made redundant in the latest round of financial cutbacks and is set to leave in the middle of October.

'It was quite a surprise because of the way we have built it up, but not totally unexpected. I am very disappointed that the police don't realise the effort the rest of the partners and myself have put into it,' he said this week.

Mr Long said he had appealed and would know the outcome in a couple of weeks, but he was not holding out much hope.

'Being truthful I think it is a foregone conclusion,' he said.

In May, Tom Hirst, the security manager of Newton Abbot department store Austins, organised a petition in Market Walk which was signed by between 1,200 and 1,400 people calling for the team to remain intact. It was presented to Devon and Cornwall Constabulary.

On Wednesday, Mr Hirst said: 'I think it is a very sad day. The partnership is going to be broken up and Chris Long's contribution to it was invaluable.'

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