Exclusive by Alan Quick

POLICE from Crediton and Cullompton Neighbourhood Teams recently delivered Christmas hamper care packages to some of the vulnerable people living in local communities.

Sgt Chris Pusey from the Cullompton team and PCSO Rebecca Tanner, from Crediton, co-ordinated the sourcing of items for the hampers and they express thanks, locally, to Morrisons of Crediton, Crediton Tesco store at Wellparks, the Co-Op in Crediton and the Co-Op in Bow, Quickes Traditional Limited of Newton St Cyres and Ernest Jackson’s of Crediton.

The hampers were well-received by the individuals, many of which had been referred by other agencies.

Sgt Pusey said: “We are delivering 10 hampers across Mid Devon today.

“This is in addition to 140 Christmas goodie bags which Devon and Cornwall Police have been helping deliver to vulnerable people across Exeter, East and Mid Devon in association with Westbank Community Health.

Sgt Pusey explained that donated gifts include Christmas food, toiletries, books as well as crime prevention advice and fire safety information.

He added that Police staff, officers and Westbank colleagues contributed generously towards the hampers and then volunteered to deliver them, many in their own.

He said: “We are hoping to spread some Christmas cheer to the most vulnerable in our communities.”

Sgt Sally Kingdon, Devon Diverse Communities Team Leader, said working with Neighbourhood Friends at Westbank is an important way to make contact in the community: “Putting together the Christmas goodie bags has been a great way to reach some of the most vulnerable and elderly members of our local communities. It’s also given us the opportunity to distribute some valuable advice around keeping safe and crime prevention as well as seeking feedback about our organisation. We know Christmas can be a sad and lonely time for older people and we hope this partnership project will benefit some of those most in need."

To find out more about Neighbourhood Friends at Westbank please visit the website: https://www.westbank.org.uk/neighbourhood-friends .