THE neighbourhood beat team leader for Holsworthy and Torrington Police hopes rural policing will not be hit by the next wave of budget cuts.

Leader of both Holsworthy and Torrington beat teams Sgt Pennie Channing told councillors at the full meeting last week, Holsworthy has a 'really good team', but it could not be cut back 'any more'. Sgt Channing attended the meeting with PCSO Emma Tomkies and welcomed the new members.

She told councillors the team is now measured on 'positive outcomes and safeguarding'.

"It's not about whether we get people to court, it's about whether people are safe and will continue to be safe."

Sgt Channing hoped further cuts to Devon and Cornwall Police would not impact rural policing and Holsworthy's relatively small team.

"We are hoping they won't start making cuts in the rural parts and it will be in the cities because we can't be cut back any more."

She said the team was 'keeping a lid' on crime in the town and surrounding communities and the number of reported incidents was down on the last 12 months.

"We do a lot in the community and with the schools, and we hope we can work with you to make it a better place to live."

Devon and Cornwall Crime Commissioner, Conservative Tony Hogg is calling on chief constables to be 'robust' in their defence of rural and neighbourhood policing against 'other pressures where they may be driven into the corner to become just a response organisation'.

He stressed that policing was also about 'relationships' and is urging residents to take part in the National Rural Crime Survey to help create a better understanding of policing in rural areas.

For the full report, and a round-up of the area news and sport, see this week's edition of the Post.