The police are barely visible in rural Devon. Regardless of whether they are regulars or PCSOs, they are rarely seen anywhere.

There was a time they would be seen chatting to the public in our towns and villages, but that has long gone. The extra police promised by the police ­commissioner does not even reverse the reduction of around 500 Devon and Cornwall ­officers in the past decade.

We have seen the effect

on the news of this constant ­austerity on police morale recently. Under austerity politics, there is almost no ­sector of public service under Devon County Council responsibility not left underfunded, under-resourced, hollowed out and demoralised.

If there is no change in ­political control, this salami slicing of the police, school funding and social care will continue into the future.

The Conservatives know the cost of everything but the value of nothing in our communities.

Ian Ross

Ukip candidate

Devon County Council

Ivybridge division