Police access for villagers

Uplowman, near Tiverton, will host an information point

Villages in Devon which do not have their own beat officers now have a link to the police in the heart of their communities.

In an effort to put a police presence back in to rural areas, Devon and Cornwall Police have installed "police information points" at pubs, post offices and schools.

Residents can voice concerns about local issues, or pass on information using a secure drop-off box.

Any information left in the boxes will be collected by patrol officers.

The information points enable us to reach the heart of a village community

Chief Inspector Joanna Tennant, Devon and Cornwall Police

People can also pick up police leaflets at the information points.

Chief Inspector Joanna Tennant, mid Devon district commander said: "Enabling better communication with people in villages and parishes is extremely important for a police force with such a large rural population.

"We are always looking for different ways of reaching people in outlying districts.

"The information points enable us to reach the heart of a village community and offer a mutually beneficial point of contact."

'A good idea'

Initially the Culmompton, Crediton and Tiverton areas will each have six information points.

John Veen, of Uplowman, near Tiverton, thinks the information points are a good idea.

"The box is sealed so you can feel confident putting information in there," he told BBC News Online.

"Once the system gets known it will show the bad element in society that any wrong they do will be reported."