Extra officers focus on

investigating crimes

TWO extra police officers have been appointed to concentrate on crime investigation in Torpoint.

They will be carrying out investigations rather than pounding the beat.

Police figures show that the number of reported crimes in the town this year is still much lower than last year.

Figures to the middle of November show that 418 crimes had been committed since the beginning of the year compared to 557 in 2000.

Among the most recent crimes were 10 assaults, four burglaries, 15 thefts, 10 incidents of damage, eight motor vehicle offences, one drink-drive incident, two arsons, one drunk and disorderly case, one drugs case and one incident involving an offensive weapon.

The police have also reported that the burglary detection rate in the town has dramatically improved following the arrest of a suspect.

Robin Hood meets

Babes in the Wood

THE Torpoint Ferryboat Entertainers pantomime 'Robin Hood meets the Babes in the Wood' will be held at the Council Hall in Torpoint from January 9 to January 12 with each performance starting at 7.30pm, and a Saturday matinee at 2.30pm.

The script, written by Gordon Jay, is a very funny traditional panto.

Tickets will be on sale at Dashers, R & A Carpets and Gliddons, Fore Street, priced at £4 for adults and £3 for children and OAPs.

It is advisable to book tickets early to avoid disappointment.

MP visits postal

delivery office

THE MP for South East Cornwall, Colin Breed, visited the Royal Mail delivery office at Trevol Business Park, Torpoint, early on Saturday morning.

He chatted with staff, and heard about the Royal Mail's operations. The level of mail handled in the PL and TR postcode areas in the four weeks leading up to Christmas Eve is expected to be 50.4 million items.

Area manager Colin Toogood said: 'These special visits to our offices are very well-received by postal staff. It is a very busy time of the year and we greatly appreciate our guests' interest and support.'

Pupils knit blanket

for guide dog

MANY pupils at Torpoint Infant School have helped to make a blanket for the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association. The children helped to knit the blanket from wool oddments during their lunch breaks.

The guide dog centre in Exeter has sent a letter of thanks to the children along with a photograph of the blanket being used.

The letter said: "Thank you so much for the colourful blanket you so kindly knitted for us. As you can see, Ida, the yellow labrador loved it and soon snuggled down on it. All of our dogs have beds and at the moment we have 85 dogs, so you can imagine how many blankets we use."

Bid to reduce

risk of flooding

DRAINAGE gullies on Marine Drive in Torpoint have been flushed out in an attempt to reduce the risk of flooding on the busy road.

Town councillors had been calling for action from Cornwall County Council over the gullies which drain away surface water to the nearby beach. When the gullies have become blocked the road has been prone to flooding.

Councillors are still hoping for a long-term solution to the problem.

Meanwhile, councillors have heard that water safety equipment has been replaced on the promenade. It is intended in the future to house the equipment in custom-designed cabinets.

Workshops

BUILDERS have been invited to tender for a scheme to construct industrial workshops at Millbrook for Caradon District Council. The scheme is likely to cost around £400,000 and work on site would start in May next year. The project will be partly financed by the European Union.

Nautical knot boards

MICHAEL Howells is the artist of the month at Torpoint Library.

The artist, who lives in the town, is a sailmaker by trade and has included nautical knot boards in his display.

Also on show are original watercolour paintings and prints from watercolours.

Back shave boosts centre

NAVAL trainees from HMS Raleigh in Torpoint have raised £1,600 to help children with severe learning disabilities. Eight trainees from Walker Division along with Lieutenant Commander Chris Hutchinson and Chief Instructor Rob James visited the Laylands Centre in Liskeard to present a cheque.

Fundraising efforts have included a sponsored back and leg shave, a sponsored swim and payment of "fines" to recover lost property.

The cheque was given to The Friends of Laylands and the money will go towards providing specialist equipment for a sensory room.

Walker Division has been supporting the respite care centre for more than three years.