No police to answer 999 in Cornwall, says officer

No police officers are available to answer 999 calls in Cornwall because of staffing cuts, a sergeant has claimed.

Addressing a meeting about rural policing, Falmouth and Helston Sergeant Mark Cooper told Helston and South Kerrier Community Network Panel “the box is empty” and there is “no one available this side of Plymouth” to police the area. Sgt Cooper added: “Unfortunately, I think the NHS and ourselves are all in the same situation.”

Cornwall’s police commander, Chief Superintendent Jim Pearce, reassured residents there would be officers to respond to “urgent” calls.