Funding agreed to tackle anti-social behaviour in Exmouth

Extra community patrols are to be introduced in Exmouth to tackle antisocial behaviour and violent crime.

Devon and Cornwall’s Police and Crime Commissioner has received £1million from the Home Office to crack down on antisocial behaviour (ASB) and serious violence in 16 locations across the peninsula.

The funding will pay for extra police patrols in some of these ‘hotspots’, and uniformed community patrols in partnership with local councils in others.

Antisocial behaviour is a top concern for Devon and Cornwall residents, with surveys indicating that more are concerned with it than any other policing issue.

Alison Hernandez, who has been returned as Police and Crime Commissioner for a third term, said she is continuing to focus on ASB as one of her four Police and Crime Plan priorities. The hotspot policing also aligns with her priorities of tackling violence and drug misuse.

In recent years, the Commissioner has supported Devon and Cornwall Police’s Operation Loki. This neighbourhood policing operation resulted in more than 150 arrests and 30,000 positive interactions with the community.

Commissioner Hernandez said: “We have taken significant steps in addressing ASB and combating serious violence. I am pleased that this funding will enable us to increase visible uniformed patrols in key areas.

“By working in partnership with our councils, we will deliver a reassuring presence in areas where the public feel most vulnerable. With targeted police and partner patrols, we’ll be where we’re needed most, helping to create safer communities.”

An additional £200,000 from the Commissioner will bolster the fund, maximising the number of partner patrols across Devon and Cornwall.

Six locations including Exeter, Plymouth and Torquay already have additional police patrols, and the Commissioner will be working with councils to provide community patrols in the coming weeks. The funding for community patrols has been agreed for Exmouth, Paignton, Penzance, Camborne, St Austell and Newton Abbot.