PC Dave Monkton is the new Neighbourhood Beat Manager for Bude Town area, which incorporates the communities of Bude, Stratton and Poughill. He joined the West Midlands Police in 1994 and has policed both inner city Birmingham and the surrounding areas, on Response, Traffic and the Operational Support Unit before moving to Bude in 2003. Since then, PC Monkton has worked on Response and has been involved in the tutoring of newly appointed constables. He now lives in Bude with his wife, Karen, and has a 10-year-old daughter Kathryn and a two-year-old daughter Madeline. He said: "I am new to the role of Neighbourhood Beat Manager but look forward to developing a great number of contacts with strategic partners responsible for my area. More importantly, I hope I have become a recognisable, friendly face in the community. I am delighted to be working in the role of neighbourhood policing and look forward to some exciting challenges ahead. My main focus over the coming months is to meet and engage with as many people as I can and try and deal with the PACT priorities identified at a recent meeting. These include anti-social behaviour, parking, speeding and 'boy racers.' There are many different approaches to these issues ranging from education to enforcement, all of which will be explored until a solution is found. I intend to patrol Bude, a town about which I am absolutely passionate, as much as possible, both on foot and on my new bicycle. I consider myself very fortunate to come into work and do what I enjoy; helping to catch criminals, reduce the fear of crime and put something back into the community. I can be contacted at Bude Police Station on 01288 357502 or email bude@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk."
