PC Gary Luxton has taken over from PC Gary Watts as the new Neigh­bourhood Beat Manager for the Bude Rural area.

This area incorporates the communities of Mor­wen­stow, Kilkhamp­ton, Launcells, Marhamchurch, Poundstock, North Tamerton, Whitstone, Week St Mary, Jacobstow and Boyton.

PC Luxton joined the Avon and Somerset Constabulary in 2001 and policed both Bristol and Yeovil, covering inner city and rural areas. He joined the Devon and Cornwall constabulary in 2007 and worked on response at both Bodmin, and for the last year and a half, in Bude.

He was born in Stratton Hospital and was brought up in Bude, and recently moved back with his family to live and work in the town.

PC Luxton said: "My role as Bude Rural Beat Manager is a new one for me and I am looking forward to meeting the community and engaging with partner agencies. I will be carrying on the work established by PC Gary Watts and will be continuing to support the very effective schemes such as BRIPS and Community Speed Watch that he successfully created.

"I will be holding meetings shortly in order to identify any new priorities and to update you on the progress of the current ones. I will address these through PACT meetings and regularly attending local parish council meetings.

"I am delighted that I am working as a Beat Manager in an area where I grew up. My knowledge of the area I cover and the people within it will no doubt assist me in carrying out my role. I am keen to increase Neighbourhood Watch schemes in all parishes, as I recognise the importance of this and the effect that it can have in forging good community relations in the fight against crime and anti-social behaviour.

"I will be actively patrolling the parishes I serve, both on foot and on my bike, and I will be available for contact in relation to any issues that may arise. I am determined to effectively deal with people that serve to disrupt the everyday life of any residents within my beat area.

"I am looking forward to meeting all my parish communities in the rural beat area and finding out about the issues affecting them and getting solutions that work.

"I am contactable on the Bude Neighbourhood phone on 01288 357502 (non urgent), by letter to Bude Police Station, or by e-mail at Gary.Luxton @devonandcornwall.pnn. police.uk."