A CREDITON Special Constable has been named Devon's 2010 Special Constable of the Year.

SC Inspector Bob Webb has been a Special Constable for more than 14 years serving the Crediton area of Mid Devon.

This rural area relies heavily on agriculture and has a large farming community that has specific challenges when it comes to policing.

For example, it has a geographic spread, a long hours work ethic, meaning commitments to land and livestock management often prevent farmers being able to attend traditional police meetings or surgeries.

Outside of his police work Bob is a smallholder and therefore understands the challenges of working a living in an isolated rural area.

With this background and his natural enthusiasm Bob responded to this need by taking on a brand new role as a Rural Engagement Officer designed to bridge the gap between the police and farming community.

Bob started in the role a few years ago and has taken the blank canvas of this role and turned it into a ground-breaking method of engagement.

He regularly visits farming families and others in rural communities to identify specific issues that affect them, finding out what issues need addressing by the Neighbourhood Team.

Bob has also used these visits to recruit new members to the Community Messaging System as a method of ensuring that the public is kept informed of policing issues and circulated more than 800 application forms for the scheme.

He has developed contacts with organisations such as the NFU, Young Farmers and Gamekeepers' Associations as well as providing reassurance.

Devon and Cornwall Police said that Bob's tireless work has led to improvements in intelligence gathering and crime fighting.

One item of intelligence led him to co-ordinate a night time operation to prevent poaching on a local rural estate.

On another occasion he received intelligence about the theft of poultry. A small operation was launched resulting in a male being arrested for theft, and the recovery of 70 stolen chickens.

A police spokesperson said: "Bob is an exceptional officer, and true gent.

"His work has drawn interest from other Forces and will be included in both the soon-to-be launched Special Constabulary National Strategy and the National Police Best Practice database."

In recognition of his outstanding contribution as a member of the Special Constabulary the BCU Commander for Devon, Chief Supt Jo Tennant, assisted by Assistant Chief Constable Paul Netherton, presented Bob with the Special Constable of the Year award for 2010.

alan-quick@crediton

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