A new South Hams sector inspector has pledged to strengthen relationships with residents, improve police visibility and tackle the issues that matter most to local communities.

Inspector Wesley Watkins has taken up the role with Devon and Cornwall Police, bringing 12 years of experience across different areas of policing, including response patrol, neighbourhood policing, custody and the force control room.

He said his priority is to ensure neighbourhood policing is “visible, accessible and responsive” to the communities it serves.

“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,” he said.

Inspector Watkins said he wanted to build on existing relationships with residents, businesses, community groups and partner organisations, while ensuring people knew who their local officers were and how to contact them.

“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,” he said.

Inspector Watkins began his policing career as a volunteer Special Constable in 2009, serving until 2014. He also worked as a radio operator between 2012 and 2014 before joining the force as a police officer in 2014.

During his career, he has been involved in initiatives aimed at improving frontline policing and supporting vulnerable people.

These include training frontline officers across South Devon to use drug wipe technology to help identify suspected drug-drivers, as well as introducing the Buddy Bag scheme across Devon and Cornwall Police.

The scheme provides backpacks containing essentials such as toiletries and pyjamas, alongside comfort items including books and teddy bears, for children who pass through police care in difficult or traumatic circumstances.

More than 100 bags, donated by the Buddy Bag Foundation, have been issued since the scheme launched, with stocks held at police custody centres for officers to use.