POLICING in Devizes is about to change as teams merge to make the most of resources.

The new police inspector for Devizes Nick Mawson told the area board that following a pilot study in Trowbridge and Warminster a new style of policing was to come to the town.

He said that neighbourhood policing teams would be disbanded to become part of bigger community teams but reassured the board this would not mean that people would receive a less personal service.

But he did say that modern issues such as cybercrime and other major crimes such as domestic abuse, dangerous drug networks, organised crime, as well as child sexual abuse would be dealt with first before more low-level offences.

Insp Mawson, who was speaking to a packed meeting that included his chief constable Mike Veale, said the pilot study in Trowbridge and Warminster was working very well.

Inspector James Brain who oversees the new team in west Wiltshire said: "“The pilot model uses the experience and skills of constables

"Using new technology, including 3G laptops and smart phones, we will be able to work out in the community bringing the police station with us; ensuring officers are more visible to the public.

"Combining the skills and experience of small teams aims to expand the skill set and local knowledge of staff and officers based within the

This allows us to further tailor our response to community engagement and 999 response, aiming to get the right person to the incident at the right time."

But Insp Mawson's outline of Wiltshire police's vision for the future did not go down well when he gave a talk to Pewsey Area Board earlier in the month when he said that house burglaries would move down the priority list.

Councillor Stuart Wheeler, who represents Burbage and the Bedwyns, raised concerns that the low-level crime is more rife in the Pewsey area such as thefts and was not sure how this would affect how crime is dealt with in the village.

He said: "It seems to be an essentially urban model. The big issues in this area are non-dwelling burglaries and high-value farm equipment being targeted and stolen, and hare coursing.

"What we are looking at in the Pewsey area is essentially an urban laid out strategy and I am very disappointed. We used to get these reports saying ‘non-dwelling burglaries clear-up rate nil’ and I am looking at farmers losing £5,000 or £6,000 worth of a 4x4.”

At Devizes councillors and members of the public were not given time to quiz the inspector as the packed agenda included an announcement to do with the new urgent care centre which had drawn a big crowd including Devizes MP Claire Perry.