New South Hams Inspector pledges to strengthen community engagement

New South Hams Inspector pledges to strengthen community engagement

Wesley Watkins has just taken up the role of South Hams Sector Inspector and will be leading neighbourhood policing across the area with a focus on strengthening relationships with local communities, improving engagement and tackling the issues that matter most to residents.

He brings experience from a range of policing environments, including the Force control room, response patrol, neighbourhood policing and custody.

Inspector Watkins explained: “Throughout my career I have been involved in initiatives designed to improve frontline policing and support vulnerable people. These include training many frontline officers across South Devon to use drug wipe technology, helping officers to identify and tackle drug-driving, and implementing the Buddy Bag scheme across Devon & Cornwall Police to support children affected by difficult and traumatic circumstances.”

Inspector Watkins continued “My priority is to make sure neighbourhood policing is visible, accessible and responsive to the communities we serve. The South Hams is a diverse area, with different communities facing different challenges, and it is important that we listen to residents and understand what matters most to them.

“I want to build on the strong relationships with our communities, local businesses, partner organisations and community groups, ensuring people know who their local officers are and how they can work with us to address local concerns.

“Effective neighbourhood policing is about more than responding to crime. It is about being proactive, identifying problems early, working with partners and taking positive action to make our communities safer.”

Inspector Watkins served as a volunteer Special Constable between 2009 and 2014 and then a Radio Operator between 2012 and 2014.  He has clocked up 12 years as a Devon & Cornwall Police officer after joining the ranks in 2014.

A key focus for Inspector Watkins is to encourage more residents to sign up to Devon & Cornwall Police Community Messaging. This two way service enables residents to receive local policing information, crime prevention advice, appeals and updates relevant to their area via email. To find out more visit the website Home Page - Devon and Cornwall Community Messaging

The local neighbourhood team is keen to increase attendance at police engagement events and encourage residents to speak directly with officers about local issues, share information and help shape neighbourhood policing priorities.

Inspector Watkins added “I would encourage everyone to speak to their local officers at community engagement events. These events are a valuable way to stay informed, raise concerns and help us understand what is happening in your area.

“The information and support we receive from our communities can make a real difference. I want residents to feel confident approaching us, knowing their concerns will be listened to and that we will work hard to achieve positive outcomes.

“I am looking forward to getting out across the South Hams, meeting as many people as possible and working with our communities to make a meaningful difference.”

Come along and meet officers face to face on Friday 23 October between 10.30am and 11.30am at Harbertonford Village Hall, Woodcourt Road, Totnes and on Wednesday 28 October between 10:30am and 11:30am at Bittaford Village Hall, 4 Jubilee Terrace Ivybridge.

To find out more about policing in your area visit the Devon & Cornwall Police website and put your postcode into the ‘find your area’ section Home | Devon & Cornwall Police

You can also follow our local Facebook pages for South Hams such as Totnes Police, Ivybridge and Rural Police, Dartmouth Police and Kingsbridge Police.

The Buddy Bag scheme is to support children who pass through police care and since the scheme launched, more than 100 bags have been issued.  

Buddy Bag backpacks contain essential items for children, including toiletries, pyjamas, and comfort items such as a book and teddy bear. Individual bags are tailored to different ages and genders so that children receive appropriate items. Once issued, the bags are theirs to keep.

The bags are donated to Devon & Cornwall Police by the Buddy Bag Foundation, which was founded in 2015 to help make a difference to children entering emergency care. A stock of bags is held at all custody centres and are available for all officers to use.