MEMBERS of the community in Bude were able to hear an update on policing services in the area at the annual town meeting held recently.

PC Stephen South reminded the meeting that last year’s annual report had proclaimed a number of crime and anti-social problems in the Bude area, including graffiti, drinking and anti-social behaviour involving children.

“We have been tackling this, not in any particular order,” he said. “We successfully arrested and dealt with an individual who had caused the vast majority of the graffiti in the Bude area over the last 18 to 24 months. This local man was dealt with for a large number of offences which related to Bude and another area. He admitted to being responsible for these crimes. This resulted in a community order and he was directed to pay a large amount of compensation to the victims of the graffiti.

“Last year the neighbourhood policing team successfully completed an operation in the summer months, led primarily by our PCSOs, targeting underage drinking linked to low level crime and disorder. Large quantities of alcohol were seized from children, who returned home or were collected by parents.

“Pub Watch in Bude has gone from strength to strength in 2017 into 2018. This has led to the majority of licensees in the Bude town and beyond joining and the agreement is that any anti-social behaviour committed on licensed premises may lead to a ban from all Pub Watch licensed premises in Bude. If anti-social behaviour does occur, we will be actively dealing with it and actively dealing with the people responsible.”

Bude has had a successful year with its town CCTV system, which is covered by six volunteer staff who work with the police to ensure the town is monitored. These volunteers have also been nominated for a prestigious award.

The meeting heard that the local policing team now had to consider risk, harm and threat factors before dealing with incidents. He explained that many things that people in the community may think are important would have to be considered in this way before being dealt with. PC South said the team works with schools, Social Services and mental health teams to safeguard vulnerable people in their community.

However, one of the most important things for policing teams is now educating both children and parents about using online sites and the dangers that can be presented. This includes topics such as ‘sexting’, online grooming and child sexual exploitation.

“It’s all about educating children on social networking and how to keep safe online. We have delivered a series of talks to local schools on this, but when we invite parents to come along to learn more about it, hardly any come. They think they know all of the dangers about this.

“Families need to be aware of child sexual exploitation. Adults exploiting children has many strands, including alcohol and drugs, which can, on occasions, ultimately lead to sexual exploitation. If any parents are concerned about their child, perhaps if their behaviour has markedly changed — they are perhaps visiting persons or premises on a regular basis, coming home late and not explaining their whereabouts — please let ourselves or their school know as soon as possible.”

PC South continued: “It’s a different sort of policing now — lots of stuff is online. It’s not about your child smashing up the park swings anymore, with the police coming up straight away to sort it out. It’s more about online grooming and exploitation.”

The meeting heard that Devon and Cornwall Alert has been working efficiently for most. The two-way messaging system allows people who register to receive information on crimes, appeals, anti social behaviour and more.

Police numbers have also been changing, with the number of PCSOs expected to fall to around 150 across the Force in the near future. Instead, there will be a bigger focus on collaborative officers who work with the police, fire and emergency services, such as tri-safety officers — of which Bude has one, Adam Chapman, who is a fireman from Launceston Community Fire Station and has been working to provide services to the Bude community. “This shows the bigger picture of what we do,” PC South said.

Town councillor, Paul Tilzey, asked if the public were allowed to know the names of the individuals who committed the graffiti offences. PC South said that if an offender is over the age of 18, they will be dealt with in the courts, but it is important to educate children on how to behave in society.

He said: “I’m a great believer of not victimising children. It’s all about how we teach them.”

Liberal Democrat Cornwall Councillor for Bude, Peter La Broy, said the Devon and Cornwall Alerts system is ‘a trustworthy source’, adding: “As much as some people like the idea of phoning the local nick to report a crime, we’re not in those days anymore.”

Town councillor Bob Willingham said that there are a number of young people in Bude who have been causing problems ‘for over a year’. PC South said that individuals who have been causing issues in the town are continually under the police’s radar, with anti-social behaviour warnings having been issued.

“Some are higher than others, but we’ve got to give avenues to these people, because they’re children. We continue to deal with them.”

For emergencies, call 999. For non-emergencies, people can contact the police on www.dc.police.uk/reportcrime, email [email protected] or call 101. To find out more or sign up to the Devon and Cornwall Alerts system, visit https://alerts.dc.police.uk