OKEHAMPTON’S first police and fire co-responder — combining on-call firefighting duties with policing — met the public in Waitrose on Monday morning (January 27).

Special constable Will Britten will be carrying out neighbourhood policing for 21 hours a week while on call as a firefighter with Okehampton Fire Station.

His is one of seven new co-responders combining the roles for the first time in Devon towns including Okehampton.

‘It is a completely new role,’ said Will. ‘We have had to go through special constable police training, spending time with the local response units while continuing as firefighters.’

Will was already a qualified firefighter, having worked out of his home city of Exeter for the past three years. Since being accepted to become a co-responder a year ago, he has spent time at Okehampton Police Station where he will now be based.

‘I will be looking at any fire safety issues when out in the community on police work,’ he said. ‘It is two roles merged into one really so we have a visible presence in the community.’

As his on-call firefighting role requires him to be within five minutes of the town’s fire station, his police duties will be in the town itself.

He has also undergone police training paid for by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner. His co-responder salary is paid for by Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service.

‘It is very much a community-based project,’ he said.

‘I will be working with the PCSOs to help address anti-social behaviour as well as doing any safeguarding we can. It means an extra person on the ground.’