Holsworthy's Market Hall was the venue on the evening of Wednesday, February 17 for a liaison meeting of the Devon and Cornwall Police Authority with Brian Greenslade, Leader of Devon County Council, in the chair, writes Christine Williams, Holsworthy correspondent.

Torridge Inspector Shaun Kenneally said that Devon and Cornwall was the fourth safest area in the country. He reported that during 2009 there were 495 recorded crimes in the Holsworthy area, a reduction of 17.5 per cent.

In Torridge one third of all crimes were detected, which was higher than average and they had issued just one Antisocial Behaviour Order. Listening to the public and communicating with them were very important. He urged people who had not yet done so to join the community messaging service.

Sgt Pennie Channing, Neighbourhood Team Leader in Holsworthy, said their priorities during 2009 had been targeting speeding, especially by motorcyclists; wearing seat belts; use of mobile phones while driving; road rage; drunkenness and unlicensed drivers.

Twenty volunteers had come forward for speedwatch. They were being vetted and trained and would be active in a couple of months. Local schoolchildren had been designing posters to be displayed in villages to remind drivers to cut their speed.

Local meetings had been held to find out people's concerns and engaging with young people to ensure they did not become victims or offenders. A mini police station was held once a month in Holsworthy Community College and school buses were checked to see that seat belts were being worn.

Superintendent Kevin Harris, Police Area Commander for Northern Devon, quoted statistics from the past 46 weeks to show how, contrary to what many people believed, crime in North Devon had greatly reduced: burglaries of dwellings down 31 per cent, theft of vehicles down 37 per cent, criminal damage down 32 per cent.

It was the most successful policing area in the two counties, he said. During the open session, in response to a question on drugs, Insp Kenneally said it was not a massive issue. Three premises in Bideford had been shut down and there was incidence of the use of cannabis in outlying areas.

Cllr Richard Brown was concerned at the small number of police officers based at Holsworthy. It was a huge area, he said, and often there was only one officer on duty without back-up. Insp Kenneally said they worked to ensure sufficient cover and there was always mutual support available from Bude and Launceston.

The problem of litter was raised both in the area of the community college and in Stanhope Park where cans and sticks had been thrown by youngsters into the gardens of properties in West View to the great annoyance of residents.

The meeting ended with Reg Cane reporting on his work on the independent custody visiting panel.