The Council tax this year had a very large amount for policing but not really seen around here. Maybe other areas have a greater need. Exmouth is expanding rapidly around the outskirts at the moment but it will be well off people as house prices are over 300,000 now for a small semi detached. None of my grown up children can earn enough to buy a house now.
Maybe the way policing is done with forensics more than people looking at crimes is why we dont see many out and about. When i worked in the police station at Newton Abbot 10 years ago, they did have a facebook room where 6 officers were studying the criminals daily pages. Lots to be gained from facebook as people tend to say what they are doing and where they go.
I think there should be a uniformed officer in the town during the day. It keeps things calm, or it used to !