AT A recent Bude community network meeting, the Post area’s new police sector inspector, Julian Morris introduced himself to those in attendance.

Insp Morris has spent 26 years in the police force and has been the sector inspector at Liskeard for the last four years.

At the meeting held on April 8, he starting off by explaining the areas his sector covers, Camelford, Delabole, Launceston, Callington, Bude, Morwenstow and out to Holsworthy.

Insp Morris said he lives in Bude with his wife – who is also a member of the police — and told the attending members of the public, ‘he understands the problems currently facing the town’.

He said: “We still live in a very safe area. There is a problem with kids in Bude and they’re on my radar, I live in Bude and it’s important to me.”

He gave some indication of how he intends to tackle the ‘issues’ the town currently has. He said: “I intend to issue a dispersement notice over the weekend, meaning legally these youngsters will have to leave the area and if they don’t they will be arrested.”

He continued: “There is still the problem of Xanax and ketamine use in the town, but it has got better than it was.”

The new inspector praised the efforts by the community led Bude and Launceston Community CCTV group, which is run entirely by volunteers.

He also welcomed anyone to join as a new volunteer, adding: “Anyone can do it, someone who can give up an hour or two of their time to help police officers identify crimes in the towns would be a real help.”

Another target for the inspector is to include a community speed watch at each of the sector towns.

He said: “We currently have one in Camelford and have just introduced one into the Launceston area. It would be great to get something like this in Bude as well.”

He also mentioned how the police cadets, based in Launceston, have been struggling with recruitment lately, after the programme was taken over by volunteers. However, he told the meeting that he intends to look into this and will try to address the issue.

Cllr Julia Bryson of Bude and Stratton Town Council questioned the inspector about the whereabouts of Bude’s tri-service officer Adam Chapman.

She said: “Where is he at the moment? We haven’t seen him for a while. Have you moved him?”

Insp Morris replied: “No we haven’t. He should be here, unless he is currently on annual leave.

Tri-service officer Chapman works for all three of the emergency services and primarily focusses on engagement, early intervention, prevention and reducing demand for police, fire and ambulance service as well as responding to critical incidents on behalf of the fire and ambulance service.

As the questions opened up to the audience, the key theme of discussion revolved around the issues the force face regarding their detention facilities.

Currently officers are having to make the long trip to Newquay in order to detain someone in a cell, which according to Insp Morris can take an hour per trip.

One member of the public, Nick Swann asked: “What is the deal with the cell facilities in Launceston?”

Insp Morris replied: “They are still there. I worked there for five years and it made the job a whole lot easier in regards to travel. But it would require putting a lot of money into it and that isn’t the current focus.”

Insp Morris explained that the current plan is to move the police headquarters to Bodmin which will include a new 35 cell block. He mentioned that this could mean the Newquay cells will close.

Another member of the public, Chris Turner said: “Bodmin sounds like a waste of money, what is the reasoning for it?”

Insp Morris replied: “I think they will plan to knock Newquay down and save the costing there.”

He went onto say: “Bodmin is a good idea, it’s a more central location to everyone in Cornwall.”

Bude and Stratton town councillor, Brian Dixon made the point about being shown the cells in Bude when they were first built, when he was appointed to the town council.

Insp Morris explained that these are now gone. He said: “They are gone. For a station to have a holding cell they need to be a designated station, have staff on-site for 24 hours. Similar issues you have seen with the closure of the MIU.”

At the end of his talk, the chair of the meeting, Cllr Peter La Broy thanked Insp Morris for his time and welcomed him as the new sector inspector.