New Sector Inspector For Exmouth
The new Police Sector Inspector for Exmouth and surrounding area has been revealed as Grant Leitch. He has transferred from Mid Devon sector where he covered Tiverton, Cullompton and Crediton.
His new role covers Ottery St Mary and Budleigh Salterton, as well as Exmouth and he leads the team of Neighbourhood Team Leader Sergeant Richard Stonecliffe and several Police Constables, as well as Police Community Support Officers.
Before he joined policing Grant spent six years in social work, focusing on child protection and residential childcare. He joined Devon & Cornwall Police in 1995 and started his career as a patrol officer in Mid Devon. He transferred to Exeter city centre before going into the Intelligence Directorate, which had responsibility for police briefing systems.
After joining the Neighbourhood Policing Team in Exeter he moved over to CID as a Detective Constable in Exeter. Upon promotion to the rank of Sergeant he worked as a patrol officer, remaining in Exeter.
He had a spell as Detective Sergeant with the Pro-Active team and worked on drugs recovery protocol before more general detective work. He took part in many successful investigations, including the conviction of jewellery thieves from London.
Grant’s next move was to become Custody Inspector based in Exeter, before he moved over to Mid Devon as a Rural Crime Detective Inspector, covering Exmouth and surrounding areas. He worked as Detective Inspector back in Exeter before taking on the role of Temporary Detective Chief Inspector for the whole of the North, West and East Devon police area during the Covid pandemic.
Inspector Leitch said: “I live locally and know what a great place Exmouth and the surrounding area is. We will listen to public concerns and make sure that neighbourhood teams connect with the community and those people who live and work in the area, as well as the many visitors we have.
“I aim to make an impact on key crime matters and community issues which are anti-social behaviour, the population increase during the summer, violence against women and girls, drug use, errant vehicle use and help the work which is happening towards the delivery the new Exmouth police station. Please check our local social media pages for updates and if you see us out and about please have a chat and say hello.”
Inspector Grant Leitch has taken over from Antonia Weeks who has retired after 31 years’ service with the police.
The well-known officer is hanging up her hat after dedicating her life to public service. She has worked in the Exeter, East and Mid Devon Local Policing Area for 15 years, mostly based in the Exmouth sector and has been involved in a range of operations and events.
Inspector Weeks said: “I transferred from Hampshire Constabulary in 2008 to join Devon & Cornwall Police and I am retiring with 25 years as Inspector - having been promoted to that rank in 1999.”
To find out more about the Exmouth police team please follow them on Facebook or visit the local policing pages on the Force website www.devon-cornwall.police.uk