Town’s harbour gains dedicated community support officer
A NEW Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) has started work in Ilfracombe with the specific remit of policing the Devon town’s harbour.
PCSO Andy Bailey has been appointed to the new dedicated role as part of a 12-month pilot project, the first of its kind in Devon and Cornwall.
The post has been jointly funded by North Devon Council, which owns and operates Ilfracombe Harbour, and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, which has provided money through its Bluelight Fund, which aims to promote innovative new ways to providing policing support.
During the summer tourist season, when Ilfracombe’s population swells, the harbour sees a rise in antisocial behaviour, including street drinking and people jumping into the sea. The Maritime PCSO, who will be located at Ilfracombe Harbour Master’s Office, will work as part of the Neighbourhood Policing Team to provide a visible presence for the harbour and to help to prevent incidents such as antisocial behaviour.
PCSO Bailey said: “I’ll be working with the Harbour Authority, the Harbour Master, Devon and Cornwall Police and hopefully in conjunction with the community to make the harbour a safe place for both locals and visitors alike.”
Ilfracombe’s Harbour Master, Georgina Carlo-Paat, who is employed by North Devon Council, said: “Having a visual policing presence of police authority here that has a direct link to the local police has never been done, so we’re really looking forward to the benefits this will bring.”