New police team to double down on crime and antisocial behaviour in East Cornwall

A new police team has been established to work closely with communities, focusing on the issues affecting local people, such as antisocial behaviour (ASB).

The Neighbourhood Support Team (NST) is made up of six PCs and a Sergeant who provide an increased policing presence in neighbourhoods to reassure communities, deter offenders and prevent crime.

The team will be deployed to areas across East Cornwall for set periods to tackle both short and long-term issues, including localised vehicle thefts, drug dealing in known locations or ASB in high footfall public areas.

PS Jim Wellard, who heads up the NST said: “Our focus is on addressing the issues that have the greatest impact on the daily lives of residents and visitors.

“Communities can expect to see our team carrying out high-visibility foot patrols, leading targeted enforcement activity - including stop searches - to disrupt criminal activity such as drug dealing, and house-to-house enquiries to encourage reporting.”

Commenting on the introduction of the newly formed team, Inspector Greg Hodgkiss added: “To be clear, problem-solving and preventative police work of this nature already takes place in the area.

“The additional support provided by the NST to local neighbourhood teams across Cornwall will help amplify this proactive work, enabling us to make a difference more quickly.

“The team bring with them a wide range of experience and specialist skills. We’ve already seen the positive impact the NST has made on local communities across the county so far, tackling specific every-day issues that blight local communities.”

Targeted action has already taken place already in Launceston, Bude, Looe, Liskeard, St Austell, Wadebridge, and Newquay.  

Early successes have included arrests for robbery and shoplifting, the location of a wanted man and support with missing person searches.

Numerous high-visibility patrols have also been carried out in neighbourhoods as well as events, including the World Gig Championships, which sees thousands of people flock to Isles of Scilly for the event.

In a message to the community, PS Wellard said: “Please keep reporting crime and ASB to the police.

“Without your reports, it makes it difficult for us to understand where and when crime is happening. The more you tell us, the more we can do about it.”

This will be the second NST working across Cornwall.

If you have any information or concerns about crime in your area, please report it to Devon & Cornwall Police online via the website or by calling 101. You can also report information anonymously to Crimestoppers UK on 0800 555111.

Your information could help save a life. If a crime is taking place, always call 999.