 There have been police stations in the town since 1857 , when the first Police Station was rented . It had three cells and a petty session courtroom . A new police station was built in 1974 , which underwent a major refurbishment in 2011 , to become a police force hub for Mid Devon , with 72 staff members . The town acquired its first steam driven fire engine in 1914 which cost £ 100 and was paid for by voluntary subscription . 
