PCSO Jack Stannard is leaving the Ottery Neighbourhood Police team after four years.

An Ottery PCSO ‘will be missed’ as he leaves the town’s team to train as a police constable.

Jack Stannard left this week after four years in post where he has looked after the town, Cranbrook and its surrounding villages.

The town’s remaining officers, PCSO Steve Trail and PCs Paul Vaughan and Claire Dye will cover the departing PCSO’s duty.

PCSO Stannard said: “I have loved my work since joining and it has provided plenty of challenges over the years which I feel I have overcome.

“It’s been a pleasure to serve the communities I’ve worked for and to provide help and reassurance when possible. I’m very excited about the new challenges I will be facing in the future as a police constable in Exeter.

“I’m particularly proud of work as a youth intervention officer and my close working relationships with schools in my area, deterring young people from crime and safeguarding them from risks both online and in the real world.

“I’m also proud of my work with the LGBT community in East Devon over the years and raising awareness of hate crimes and the need to report them.

“I’d like to say a big thank-you to all that have made me feel so welcome in the community over the years, especially in Cranbrook.”

Following his departure, Inspector Antonia Weeks said the force is looking at the future of PCSOs and where officers are best placed to meet the needs of communities across Devon and Cornwall.

She added: “Jack Stannard will be missed by those who have known him and worked with him.

“The good news is that Jack’s skills will not be lost to the police or community as he leaves his PCSO role to be a police officer, most likely in the Exeter or East Devon area, and I wish him all the best in that role.

“In the short term I hope to continue to deliver the service PCSOs provide across both Exmouth and Ottery St Mary from the existing numbers based at both locations but this will mean local communities will not have a dedicated officer as they have in the past.”