New Public Enquiry Office Opens at Looe Police Station to Enhance Community Policing

Aimed at improving community access to policing services, the Looe police station unveiled its new Public Enquiry Office (PEO) this Wednesday, marking a crucial step in a broader initiative spearheaded by the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Devon, Cornwall, and the Isles of Scilly, Alison Hernandez. The initiative promises to open 18 Police Enquiry Offices by 2025, aiming to bolster public confidence and engagement with the police force.

The inauguration of the Looe PEO was celebrated with a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by local community leaders and politicians, highlighting the progress in the PCC’s commitment to enhancing policing accessibility across the region. So far, 13 of the promised 18 offices are operational, with plans for additional openings in the pipeline.

Police station front desks like the one in Looe offer walk-in services for the public, facilitating direct communication with trained staff for crime reporting, prevention advice, and access to victim services. This initiative began with the reopening of the Newquay PEO in 2020, followed by several others across Devon and Cornwall, including Tiverton, Newton Abbot, Truro, Falmouth, Penzance, and Bude between 2021 and 2022. Recent additions since October 2023 include offices in Okehampton, Ilfracombe, Honiton, Kingsbridge, and Devonport.

Acting Chief Constable Jim Colwell emphasised the objective of these openings as a means to “improve public access to the police and boost engagement with our communities.” He further highlighted the dual role of Police Enquiry Officers who, apart from engaging directly with the public, will support police control rooms with non-urgent digital communications.
Chief Superintendent Benjamin Deer, the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Commander, also commented on the initiative, noting the importance of face-to-face interactions offered by the PEOs in understanding and addressing community concerns.

The initiative reflects a growing awareness of the public’s desire for increased police visibility and accessibility, with a recent study indicating a particular interest among young adults and seniors in having more direct contact with police services.

PCC Hernandez has outlined an ambitious vision for the project, stating, “This forms part of the most ambitious programme of Police Enquiry Office reopening in the country.” She aims to ensure that every resident in Devon and Cornwall, regardless of their location, has the option for face-to-face contact with the police.

Before this initiative, only 10 PEOs were operational across the region. Upon completion of the project, a total of 28 police stations in Devon and Cornwall will feature front offices, significantly expanding public access to police services. Further openings are planned for Exeter city centre, Tavistock, Ivybridge, and Liskeard by 2025, with details for a PEO in Exmouth also under consideration.

For more information on the opening times and locations of these police stations, residents are encouraged to visit the official Devon and Cornwall Police website.