Welcome to Westward Ho!, Northam & Appledore, Hartland Rural
Devon & Cornwall Constabulary - for all Non-emergencies 101 or Minicom 180 01 101

Devon & Cornwall Constabulary - for all Non-emergencies 101 or minicom 180 01 101

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Westward Ho!, Northam & Appledore, Hartland Rural

Welcome to Westward Ho!, Northam & Appledore, Hartland Rural

Your Beat Manager

Neighbourhood Beat Manager (NBM) 

POLICE OFFICER (NBM) FOR RURAL BEAT. Hartland rural and Westward Ho!

 

The purpose of this article is to introduce myself as your new Neighbourhood Beat Manager (or Community Constable) for the rural area of Bideford . 

I have served in the Devon and Cornwall Constabulary for over twenty three years now in a range of roles. I commenced my service working in the city centre of Plymouth in 1987. After 2 years I asked to be posted to Bideford as this was an area that I knew and was a place where I wanted to work and live. I worked at Bideford for about seven years during which time I completed attachments to both the Crime Squad and CID. In 1996 I became the Community Constable for Bideford’s Town Centre. 2002 saw a change of direction for me as the Partnership and multi-agency work I was involved in had steered me towards Crime Reduction. Consequently I became the Crime Prevention Officer with responsibility to cover all of North Devon. This allowed me to develop skills and gain training in crime reduction methods and designing out crime. In 2007 I moved back to front line policing in Torrington doing community and response work. Earlier this year I came back to Bideford where I spent time working to build closer Policing links with Torridge District Council and ultimately take over from Tony.

The rural beat covers all of the parishes outside of Bideford and includes a large proportion of Westward Ho. I am ably assisted in this role by a very keen Police Community Support Officer, John McGovern, who many of you will already know from his patrols, community work or surgeries on the Library bus.

I am very settled in this area with my wife and family and have no aspirations to leave either the area or this beat. I have been very impressed at the definite feeling of community that exists through this policing beat that does not exist in all communities. Hopefully I will be able to carry on in a similar manner to Tony and must thank everyone I have met so far for their very warm and friendly welcome.

 

Thank you, PC 3569 Dick Rowlands.

 

 

PCSO John McGovern, PCSO for Hartland Rural and Westward Ho!

 

I have been a member of Devon & Cornwall Constabulary for  8 years. And over the last 5 years being the PCSO for the Torridge rural area encompassing the areas covered by both Dick and Dave, Westward Ho! and Hartland rural including Appledore and Northam.

Prior to moving to Devon in 2000 I lived in Lancashire where I worked as a head groundsman for private sports clubs and schools. I can often be seen in the surrounding villages on my patrols so feel free to stop me and have a chat anytime. 

As of March 2010 a new member of the Bideford Neighbourhood beat Team, PCSO Andrew Elston will be continuing in the areas of Northam, Appledore and residential Westward Ho!, with PC Dave Buck. I will continue to patrol with PC Rowlands the village/sea front area of Westward Ho!, plus Buckland Brewer, Horns Cross etc and other rural areas, up to the border with North Cornwall which includes, Hartland, Woolsery, Clovelly and the other outlining villages.

 

NBM for Northam, Appledore and Westward Ho!

PC Dave Buck

 

I am the Neighbourhood beat Manager for the Bideford rural area of Northam, Appledore and residential Westward Ho! I have been a serving officer for 22 years, the last 7 of which have been in North devon. I became the Bideford Town centre neighbourhood beat manager in 2006 having previously served as a bideford response officer. In September of this year I took over the duty of the rural areas from retiring officer Mike tricker.

If you would like to help us prioritise work in your neighbourhood, tell us your priorities online or come and join us at one of our regular events or meetings.

Active Priorities

Our top priorities for your neighbourhood are as follows:

Priority 1 / Rural - Littleham/Landcross - Northam Borrows area / Dog related incidents and livestock attacks.

You Said: 1 Jan 2012

 During the later end of December 2011, leading into January 2012, Incidents / reports of Livestock attacks and other dog relateted incindents have come to the Rural Neighbourhood teams attention.

 These incidents have been taking place in our Rural area and one in particular was quite a nasty attack on livestock in the Landcross area. These incidents can have a massive finacial and emotional impact on Livestock owners and Residents alike.

Please do not hesitate to contact the Police on the following number : 101 for General Enquiries. and 999 for Emergencies

 

So far we have:

                                                 

During the first weeks of January 2012, as stated incidents have been reported regards to this priority.  

 House to house enquiries, extra area patrols and letter drops have been and are being undertaken. Also the use of local Press and News letters have been utilised. Below is to be used as letter drop for the area.

 

Dear Householder,

The purpose of this letter is so that the Bideford Rural Neighbourhood Policing Team can bring to your notice a matter of concern within the local community.

During December there were a number of reports of sheep worrying in the area which resulted in sheep being injured and killed on two local farms. Subsequent enquiries revealed that there were other complaints of dogs being allowed to stray in the area.

At this stage the police are talking to the complainants and the Torridge District Council Animal Welfare Officer with a view to ascertaining what level of action should be taken by the relevant agencies with regards to these incidents. In the meantime we will continue to monitor the situation and gather evidence as it becomes available by way of witness statements or the gathering and seizure of video images.

As a member of the community we would ask you to keep these matters in mind. If you manage to catch any dogs straying in the area please report this to the Animal Welfare Officer at Torridge District Council on 01237 428700. If the dogs are in the road and causing a danger to traffic please call the Police on 101. Should you see dogs chasing or attacking livestock please phone the incident in as soon as possible to the police using 999.

In all circumstances please note the colour, pattern, breed and description of any dogs involved and if possible obtain pictures or video of the dogs. Please ensure that if you do have dogs that their security is checked so that they cannot roam onto roads or farmland.

Should you require any further advice regarding straying or dangerous dogs or have any information that may be relevant to our investigation please do not hesitate to contact us at the Neighbourhood Beat Office by calling 101 and asking to leave us a message.

Yours sincerely,

PC 3569 Dick ROWLANDS and PCSO 30335 John McGOVERN

 

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Priority 2 - Hartland / Woolsey Rural area / Westward Ho! Northam and Appledore - ASB early evenings

You Said: 1 Jan 2012

This will be an ongoing Priority with regards to Anti - social Behaviour and the work around reassurance and preventing ASB .

 

Patrols are ongiong throughout our Rural areas and in this new year. The rural Neihgbourhood Team will be listening to any concerns or issues regarding ASB, Though our initiative of "Have Your Say".

 Any problems can be identified through officer patrols, "Have Your Say", surveys Neighbourhood team action days. 

              

Please do not hesitate to contact the Police on the following number : 101 for General Enquiries. and 999 for Emergencies

 

So far we have:

 During the later part of 2011 and into January 2012 Incidents of  ASB came to the attention of the Rural Neighbourhood Beat Team, for the areas of Westward Ho! and Woolsery. 

 Through patrols and house to house enquiries etc offenders had been identified, and it was agreed with the victims that these incidents would be resolved using the Restoritve Justice course of action.

A ( RJ ) course of action is any process in which the victim and the offender actively participate together in the resolution of matters arising from crime or harm to a victim.

This couse of action has been used to great effect during dec 2011 and Jan 2012.

 Following enquiries and patrols in the first week of March 2012 an Anti Social behaviour warning letter one was issued in the Westward Ho! area for Anti-social Behavoiur in and around the areas of Westward Ho! both residential and Village.

This was issued with our partners at SAFER NORTH DEVON.

During the Mid April 2012 period, two ASB warning letter 1's have been issued with regards to Anti - social behaviour in and around the Westward Ho! area.

 

 

 

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Priority 3 - Hartland / Northam Rural - Promotion of Crime prevention - "Have Your Say" and Reassurance to Residents and the Public.

You Said: 1 Jan 2012

 For this coming year of 2012, our aim is to continue to engage with members of the public, residents and visitors alike to the 

our areas of Hartland Rural and Westward Ho! and Northam - Appledore and Residential WW Ho!

 

 We will be promoting the Forces "Have Your Say" Initiatives and continuing our exentsive events timetable of Action/crime Prevention days and meetings throughout the year of 2012.

 

Your Local PCSO's - 30369 Andy Elston and 30336 John McGovern will be available to discuss any crime prevention issues and to give reassurance regarding incidents of crime.

 

Please keep a look out for our Crime Prevention / "Have Your Say " initiatives throughout the year.

So far we have:

 The Local Police Team have recently become aware over the Christmas and new year of an increase in the number of Theft From and Damage too Motor Vehicles.

 Offences have been occurring in the Northam and Hartland rural  areas. 

 What concerns us is that in December of 2011 we had 9 Theft from Motor Vehicle offences and so far in January we have had 10. (4 of these were satellite navigation systems left on the windscreen). In addition we have noticed the proportion of Theft of Petrol from cars has increased.

 We advise that removing the temptation is a pre-requisite to all crime reduction. Therefore, removing all property from your vehicle, or locking it in the boot if this is not possible, is the single most effective measure you can take. Please also ensure that your car has a locking petrol cap and where possible you have parked near to good lighting or near to housing.

 

 During the First weeks of January 2012 the Rural Neighbourhood Beat Team has been active in reassurance and crime ptrevention.

 Home address Visits / Patrols have been undertaken with the issue of the Forces "You Mater we care" infomation, Community messaging information and vehicle crime prevention advice.

 Alarm padlocks have been obtained from Neighbourhood officers and the use of Local Press and Newletters has been utilised.

 

 

Thursday 23rd February 2012 / WOOLSERY Crime prevention – “Have your say Afternoon”


 On Thursday, the 23rd February 2012, 2 PM, at the Chapel rooms, Woolsery. The annual Woolsery Neighbourhood watch / Crime prevention presentation took place.


It was liked that this year’s meeting was open to local residents, prospective Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinators as well as existing Neighbourhood Watch Volunteers.
Also at this year’s meeting, the Devon and Cornwall’s new initiative “Have Your say” was promoted by your rural Neighbourhood team PCSO 30336 John McGovern and PC 3569 Dick rowlands.


This was an excellent opportunity for the community to discuss any crime prevention issues with your local officers, and for  community reassurance and crime prevention to be passed.

 

 

 On Saturday 3rd March 2012 the  Hartland Parish Council Open day with Crime prevention – “Have your say Afternoon” took place at the Village Hall. 

 

This was an opportunity for residents to meet and talk to their Parish, District and County Councillors and to members of their POLICE Neighbourhood Rural Beat team with members of Torridge Neighbourhood watch also in attendance.


Items dicussed was work and responsibilities of Authorities, Councils and Police and what people would like to see in the Parish in the future. The day was very well attended by approx 120 members of the local community.

 Also at this year’s open day, the Devon and Cornwall’s new initiative “Have Your say” was  promoted by your Neighbourhood PCSO officer 30336 John McGovern. With Torridge Neighbourhood Watch also on hand given important crime prevention advice.

 

 

WESTWARD HO! CRIME PREVENTION AFTERNOON.

MONDAY 16TH APRIL 2012.

 

On Monday the 16th April 2012, your rural Neighbourhood beat team held a crime prevention afternoon on the Village green at WW Ho!

This was, as last year a very well attended event with approx 60 members of the public, residents and holiday makers alike being advised on all aspects of crime prevention.


 

Please do not hesitate to contact the Police on the following number : 101 for General Enquiries. and 999 for Emergencies

 

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If you would like to help us prioritise work in your neighbourhood, tell us your priorities online or come and join us at one of our regular events or meetings.

Resolved Priorities

Recently resolved priorities for your neighbourhood are as follows:

Priority 4 Hartland / Buckland Brewer / Horns Cross– Speeding

You Said: 14 Jul 2010

Hartland / Buckland Brewer / Horns Cross– Speeding

Contact with members of the public, Town, Parish Councils, Residents Association and Neighbourhood watch forums have identified problems with speeding vehicles in Hartland, Woolsery and Westward Ho!

We Did:

You Said, We Did

Speed monitoring equipment has been used at the various locations. During  manned monitoring few drivers are found to be driving at speeds over prosecution level.


Warnings and advice are given to those that are but none of these were driving at a speed requiring prosecution.  Unmanned monitoring equipment has also been deployed which gives a fuller picture of the situation over a week.


Monitoring will continue in order to deter offences and deal with those that drive too fast and thereby improve road safety.In the coming weeks monitoring and speed surveys will be taking place and the results will be posted on your LOCAL NEWS section.

         

SPEED SURVEY AT HORNS CROSS 40MPH 13th MAY 2010.

On Thursday the 13th May 2010 between 0900 hrs and 1100 hrs Approx, a speed survey was undertaken at Horns Cross 40 MPH zone.This followed concerns from residents and other members of the public. Please see news section for full update and results of this survey.   

 

Concerns have been raised regarding speeding vehicle in Woolsery between the Village Hall and Woolsery School.

Several speed suveys have taken place between 01.12.10 and 11.03.11.

Results regarding these surveys will be placed onto the news section of this site.

 

"YOU SAID WE DID"

AT HORNS CROSS, A COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT EVENT
ROAD TRAFFIC AND TRAFFIC CALMING DAY TOOK PLACE ON 20 th April 2011.

Please see update and result of action day on our news section.

 

Following varoius meetings with partners and other agencies. A succcesfull Comunity Cpeed Watch has been set up in the area of Horns cross.

This CSW is operated By PVP's memebers of the police volunteers programme, ( volunteer members of the pubil ) This initiative has been in operation since June / July 2012, with great sucees.

 

Speed surveys / enforcement in various locations of the rural areas will continue in ther future.

 

 

 

 

 

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Priority 5 / Hartland Rural - Woolsery - Noisy Youths

You Said: 14 Jul 2010

 Through talking to members of the public and Neighbourhood Watch members it has been identified that youths had been causing a problem in the area of the shop and church yard , Woolsery during the evenings on weekends.  They congregated, drinking, making a lot of noise and leaving litter to the annoyance of residents.

 

 Also during early hours of the weekends, namely Fridays and Saturdays in Hartland Village centre, it has been reported that persons have been acting in a Anti - social manner, making noise,

throwing rubbish around, Banging on doors, empty drinks cans etc.

 If anyone has infromation regarding this or any other ASB incidents in the area of Hartland please feel free to contact members of your Local Police team on the contact number below.

 

PC Dick Rowlands or PCSO John McGovern on 08452 777444.

We Did:

You Said, We Did.

 

Late turn patrols have continued in these areas on and during weekends. Although nothing has been witnessed by police patrols youngsters using the area have been spoken to about the problem and the offence of littering has been pointed out. At this time there seems to have been a marked improvement. 

    

Also on friday the 28th May 2010, early evening patrols at approximately 1930 hours took place, again no incidents to report.      

 

During the week Mon 2nd August to Sat 7th August patrols continued between the times of 1900 hrs and 2200 hrs in the areas of Hartland and Woolsery. At this time, no incidents to report.

 

During the months of December 2010 and January 2011, it seemed Noise and door knocking had returned to areas of Hartrland, but with the use of the Hartland Times, in which your local Neighbourhood Beat Team placed an artical regarding RESPECT for others in the village, these incidents eased.

Also while continuing Patrols and enquiries, names and persons came to light and two (ASB) Anti-Social Behavour warning letters have been issued to two persons on the 5th April 2011.

 

April/May 2011.

And to continue, following discussions with partner agencies,   damaged low level lighting in the areas of Heard / Jeffrey close

has been replaced with higher level pedestrian lighting.

 

 It has seemed that in the areas of Hartland and Woolsery, there has been a great improvment with regards to Noisy/ASB persons.

 Over the past several months rural team officers have engaged with groups, offered advice and issued ASB warning letters, and have used restoritive disposal powers when needed.

 We have also had good access to funding streams and good working links with our partners at Safer North Devon.

 ASB patrols will continue in the future and action will be taken if incident again become an issue.

 

 

 

 

 

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Your Team

Individual Team Members

  • PCSO John Mcgovern

    PCSO

    John Mcgovern

    30336

  • PC Dick Rowlands

    PC

    Dick Rowlands

    13569

  • PC David Buck

    PC

    David Buck

    16001

  • PCSO Andy Elston

    PCSO

    Andy Elston

    30369

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Meetings and Events

Date Title Location Time
 
16 May 2012 Mobile Library Westward Ho! / Abbotsham Church "Have your say" WED 16/05/12 Firstly Link House for the morning 0930 hrs. And later at Abbotsham Church 1050 hrs. 09:30
23 May 2012 Mobile Library Woodtown / Parkham / Buckland Brewer "Have your say" WEDNESDAY 23rd MAY 2012 Firstly Woodtown for the morning 0930 hrs. And later at Parkham St James 1030hrs. Also Buckland Brewer 1130 hrs. 09:30
24 May 2012 Littleham Parish Council Meeting A.G.M 24th May 2012. Littleham Village Hall. 19:30
26 May 2012 ALWINGTON " Have your Say" Crime Prevention Afternoon 26th May 2012 Alwington Village hall. 13:30
29 May 2012 Parkham Parish Council Meeting 29/05/12 Allardice Hall Parkham 19:30
29 May 2012 Alwington Parish Council Meeting 29th May 2012. Alwington Village Hall. 20:15
30 May 2012 Mobile Library Westward Ho! / Abbotsham Church "Have your say" WED 30th MAY 2012 Firstly Link House for the morning 0930 hrs. And later at Abbotsham Church 1050 hrs. 09:30
30 May 2012 Northam Town Council Meeting 30/05/12 Council Chambers Northam 19:30
31 May 2012 Hartland Parish Council Meeting A.G.M 31/05/12 Church rooms Hartland 19:45
27 Jun 2012 Mobile Library Westward Ho! / Abbotsham Church "Have your say" WED 27th JUNE 2012 Firstly Link House for the morning 0930 hrs. And later at Abbotsham Church 1050 hrs. 09:30
27 Jun 2012 Abbotsham coffee Mornings - 16/05/12 - 30/05/12 - 27/06/12 Abbotsham Church. 10:50
27 Jun 2012 Buckland Brewer High Tea Club. Buckland Brewer Methodist Church. 15:45
3 Jul 2012 Parkham Parish Council Meeting 3rd July 2012 Allardice Hall Parkham 19:30
4 Jul 2012 Mobile Library Woodtown / Parkham / Buckland Brewer "Have your say" Time / 09:30 at Woodtown Time / 10:30 at Parkham Time / 11:30 at Buckland Brewer. 09:30
14 Jul 2012 Buckland Brewer Village Fete. "Have Your say" 14/07/12 Buckland Brewer Sports ground. 11:00
19 Jul 2012 Mobile Library Littleham THURSDAY 19th July 2012 / Crealock. Crealock car park 16:15
24 Jul 2012 Mobile Library Hartland / Clovelly "Have your say" 24/07/12 Firstly Hartland for the morning 1020 hrs. And for the afternoon at Higher Clovelly Village hall 1420 hrs. 10:20
25 Jul 2012 Mobile Library Westward Ho! / Abbotsham Church "Have your say" Links House WW Ho! Abbotsham Church. 09:30
28 Jul 2012 Hartland Garden Society Show "Have Your say" 28/07/12 Hartland Sports grounds 13:00
30 Jul 2012 Woolsery Show at Clovelly Estates "Have Your say" 30/07/12 Clovelly estates. 10:00
31 Jul 2012 Alwington Parish Council Meeting Tuesday 31st July 2012 Alwington Village Hall 19:30
1 Aug 2012 Parkham coffee Mornings 23/05/12 - 04/07/12 - 01/08/12. St James church. Parkham. 10:30
8 Aug 2012 Buckland Brewer - Mini-Market. Buckland Brewer Methodist Church 11:00
8 Aug 2012 Buckland Brewer Parish Council Meeting 08/08/12 Buckland Brewer School 19:30
11 Aug 2012 Hartland Carnival - 11/08/12 Hartland village. 17:30
16 Aug 2012 Clovelly Crime prevention " Have your Say" Crime Prevention Afternoon 16/08/12 Clovelly Visitors car Park. 13:00
21 Aug 2012 Appledore Crime prevention " Have your Say" Crime Prevention Afternoon 21/08/12 Appledore Slipway car park / Churchfield. 13:00
29 Aug 2012 Buckland Brewer High Tea Club. Buckland Brewer Methodist Church. 15:45
12 Sep 2012 Buckland Brewer - Mini-Market. Buckland Brewer Methodist Church. 11:00
15 Sep 2012 Westward Ho! Crime prevention " Have your Say" Crime Prevention Afternoon 15/09/12 Westward Ho! Village Green 13:00
17 Sep 2012 Parkham Parish Council Meeting 17/09/12 Allardice Hall Parkham 19:30
27 Sep 2012 Hartland Parish Council Meeting 27/09/12 Church rooms Hartland 19:45
31 Oct 2012 Buckland Brewer High Tea Club. Buckland Brewer Methodist Church. 15:45
14 Nov 2012 Buckland Brewer - Mini-Market. Buckland Brewer Methodist Church. 11:00

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News

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About Your Neighbourhood

The beat areas of Appledore & Westward Ho! encompass the rural villages around Bideford.

Westward Ho! was named after a book by Charles Kingsley and is famous for its 2 miles of sandy beach where surfers enjoy the breaks and Pebble Ridge which is rebuilt each year to protect the Burrows from the sea. This is celebrated at the annual Pot Whalloping Festival in May.

The village of Appledore lies just along the coast from Westward Ho! and is also popular with tourists who visit each year to enjoy the peaceful surroundings and many festivals that are run, including annual book & music festivals.

The Hartland Rural Beat Area covered by Dick Rowlands and John McGovern is very large. It begins with the commercial side of Westward Ho! extending west to the Cornish border at Welcombe Cross encompassing Abbotsham, Horns Cross, Bucks Cross, Clovelly, Hartland and Welcombe before returning east through Meddon to Powlers Pieceand then on to Buckland Brewer taking in Woolsery, Parkham, Littleham and Landcross. As the name implies it is a largely rural area with its own unique demands.

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  • Created: 14/02/2008 17:17  |
  • Modified: 20/01/2012 19:55 

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