Special Constable 73028 David Ralph's achievement was announced at a ceremony in the International Suite at the St Mellion Hotel, Golf and Country Club on Wednesday when Chief Constable Stephen Otter and Sir Ferrers Vyvyan, High Sheriff of Cornwall, presented awards to officers from across the force area. SC Ralph was unable to attend the event but his citation states that he has been a driving force in taking responsibility for the deployment of the Special Constabulary in Torpoint.
'His drive and enthusiasm has created an excellent Special Constabulary Team, who work extremely well with their full-time neighbourhood team colleagues and the community', the citation says.
'The team covers the main town, but also has responsibility for the policing of a large rural community, which includes a number of parishes. The neighbourhood team is extremely grateful for the support David has given them in assisting with anti-social behaviour and underage drinking in the town and outer villages. David's local knowledge has assisted in the collation of information from communities who would not normally have made contact with the police.'
The citation goes on to say that action on a number of local estates has led to a reduction of anti-social behaviour and a feeling of safety amongst the community.
A number of the parish councils had reported their concerns at the level of damage and minor thefts – including a number of thefts from vehicles – that were taking place. David organised the Special Constabulary to work at key times to conduct high-visibility patrols and provided crime prevention advice. A number of youths were suspected of being responsible for some of the damage due to local intelligence made to the officers on patrol over this time. Several were convicted and a number were placed on the Asbo escalation process.
During the past eight months the town of Torpoint was suffering the worst violence figures in the area, linked to high levels of drunken anti-social behaviour that was making the area unappealing to local people. As part of an action plan for the town David and his team worked a high number of shifts into early hours of the morning, assisting in maintaining a positive response to this behaviour. With their help a further 10 people were banned from local pubs and the main nightclub.
Some of the evidence David supplied was instrumental in achieving this and the town has seen a substantial reduction in assaults, with many members of the public remarking that it now feels a safer and more welcoming place to have a night out.