TIVERTON is set to get more bobbies on the beat as part of a £1.3 million crime-prevention project.

Police officers, PCSOs and street marshals will be patrolling problem areas in a bid to prevent antisocial behaviour and violent crime.

The town is one of two new areas in the “Hotspot Policing” scheme, which was introduced in Devon and Cornwall last year and is being funded by the Home Office and the region’s police and crime commissioner.

“It is great to be working in partnership with our local police to help combat anti-social behaviour in the town,” said Mid Devon district councillor David Wulff (Lib Dem, Tiverton Castle).

“We know Tiverton can, sadly, be blighted by a minority of people who seem intent on causing issues for others, and this focused policing is a way organisations can work together to make our town a vibrant and welcoming place for those who live and visit Tiverton.”

Most of the street marshals within the Hotspot Policing scheme are fully CSAS accredited. CSAS is the Community Safety Accreditation Scheme which gives partners a range of powers usually only available to police, such as the authority to issue fixed penalty notices for certain offences.

CSAS accredited staff will wear a CSAS patch on their uniform, have a police ID and a card listing their powers.

“I’m really pleased to be welcoming street marshals to be working alongside my team in Tiverton,” said Inspector Mark Arthurs of Devon and Cornwall Police.

“Tiverton is a busy, thriving market town and the local policing team is looking forward to joint patrols with the new street marshals to increase our visibility and to help tackle ASB.

“I have no doubt that the street marshals will complement the policing presence in the town and I would encourage anyone to reach out to those on patrols to report any concerns.”