CREDITON businesses have been warned to remain vigilant after a recent spate of burglaries in the town.
PCSO Lisa Crocker issued the following statement: “Your Local Policing Team would like to make businesses aware of an increase of reported burglaries within the Crediton area.
“Five business premises have been broken into and untidy searches made. Property and cash have been stolen.
These burglaries have occurred over the past seven days and these investigation are ongoing.”
Lisa added: “We are asking residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity immediately via 999 or if you have any further information then please contact 101.”
Mr Webb added that he would also be writing to local councils and Crediton Chamber of Commerce to seek support.
In his letter to Alison Hernandez, Mr Webb said: “It was a pleasure to meet you at the Crediton Conservative Ladies Lunch and hear about the work that you have been undertaking for Devon as our Police Commissioner.
“You have already done so much for us in Crediton with the introduction of new Special Constables that are also serving retained Firefighters but as I discussed with you at lunch I would like to ask your office for support in obtaining a new CCTV system for Crediton.
“The old system now sadly does not exist and while we don’t have any major criminal activities in Crediton we have, unfortunately seen a rise in break-ins, specifically on high street businesses. In addition I have observed a rise in drug dealing activity.
“It is my firm belief that a new CCTV system will help the community and your officers in cutting down on these activities and be a useful deterrent.
“I was interested to hear that there may be funding available to help get this project off the ground and would ask that your office make contact with our Town Council on this matter.
“I will be attending a council meeting soon to put my proposal to our local councillors.”
Daniel stood to represent Crediton in the district elections and promised to campaign for a CCTV system regardless of the results.
He explained: “As a business owner in the town that has been a recent victim of anti-social behaviour and vandalism, I have been encouraged to take action immediately.”
Last month saw the opening of a £420,000 state-of-the-art CCTV hub, partially funded by the office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and Torbay Council.
The opening of the hub has been seen as a major step forward to help the police to deter crime, provide evidence to put criminals behind bars and to help vulnerable missing people.
The Torbay system is the first of its kind in Devon and replaces ageing analogue cameras and wiring with state-of-the-art, high resolution digital cameras. The mostly wireless network now consists of more than 300 cameras and includes cover in areas where previously there was none.
The PCC is supporting investment in compatible, high specification systems that link into central centres, meaning monitoring is consistent and professional. Once up and running satellite towns can connect to the centres, creating a resilient network.
PCC Alison said offering practical support to communities to become safer places was a cornerstone of her police and crime plan.
“CCTV has proved its worth time and time again in terms of deterring crime and convicting criminals, but it can do so much more than that,” she said.
“Across Devon and Cornwall we have all too many cases of high risk missing people, with 11,114 people reported missing in the year to March 2019.
“High quality CCTV is a vital tool in the armoury when it comes to finding these vulnerable individuals. It also helps to protect frontline police officers and compliments the roll-out of body worn video.
“It’s because our community wants to help protect the police and those in need, help businesses thrive by deterring crime and help the police and courts to convict criminals that I am supporting this major programme of improvements across the region. Ultimately it will make our communities safer and mean our finite resources can be tasked more effectively.”
In a statement, Crediton Town Clerk Mrs Clare Dalley said: “Crediton Town Council has been liaising with Devon and Cornwall Police and the Police and Crime Commissioners Office, regarding the installation of a new CCTV system in Crediton, for the last 12-18 months and is aware that grant funding is being made available for such projects.
“The Council appreciates the importance of CCTV to residents and businesses and is already in the process of obtaining quotations.”