New neighbourhood Inspector Joey Lester shares priorities for policing in North Devon

A senior officer with 20 years’ experience in policing has returned to neighbourhood policing; setting new priorities and leading local teams in North Devon.

Last month, Inspector Joey Lester stepped into her new role as neighbourhood policing Inspector for South Molton, Lynton, Ilfracombe and Braunton and will be using a variety of policing tactics - including increased proactive patrols, utilising plain-clothed officers, working with partner organisations and empowering communities through education - to tackle new policing priorities set for the area.

Insp. Lester’s priorities have been carefully outlines to respond to the needs of communities in North Devon, and include:

Insp. Joey Lester said, “I believe strong relationships with our communities are key in achieving successful outcomes and I know the previous Inspector – Rich Preston – worked tirelessly to build strong relationships between police and people living in North Devon. This is something I admire and am determined to continue.”

Joey joined Devon & Cornwall Police in 2006, as a Special Constable. After three years volunteering her time to make a difference in her community, Joey joined as a Police Officer and has spent time in many roles, including response, investigation, neighbourhood policing, specialist operations, and learning and development.

In most recent years, Insp. Lester worked as an Emergency Response Inspector covering North, East, West and Mid-Devon, including Exeter, and she continues to carry out her secondary role as a Public Order Public Safety Commander; responsible for organising the police response to planned public events and spontaneous disorder.

Joey is passionate about policing and is committed to reducing crime and anti-social behaviour, bringing offenders to justice and safeguarding vulnerable people in the North Devon community.

Inspector Lester continued, “Having spent time in many different areas of policing, I have built a strong understanding of policing and the challenges we face, and have adjusted our policing priorities to ensure policing is not only visible, but genuinely connected to the people it serves.

“We have three new Police Community Support Officers joining the teams in Ilfracombe, Lynton and South Molton which will help to provide a more visible policing presence and optimise opportunities to engage with people living locally.

Inspector Lester concluded, “When you see officers out on patrol, please stop and have a chat with them; tell them what’s going well and if there’s anything we might need to be aware of.  

“We are committed to keeping our communities safe and ask that any concerns are reported to us. As always, please call 999 in an emergency. Otherwise, information can be shared with us by filling in a form on our website or calling 101.”

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