Two More Towns Get £1m Crime Crackdown – Is Yours on the List?

Targeted patrols return with extra funding

A scheme that brought more than 26,000 hours of police and street marshal foot patrols to areas plagued by antisocial behaviour and serious violence is set to continue for another year, thanks to a fresh £1 million boost.

Hotspot policing, which launched in May 2024, will now expand to include Bodmin and Tiverton, after the Home Office committed a second £1 million in funding.

The programme was made possible through money secured by Alison Hernandez, Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. The additional funding will support continued patrols in towns and cities with high levels of crime, based on local data.

“Hotspot policing is delivering exactly what our communities have told us they want – more visible patrols, proactive policing and real action to tackle antisocial behaviour,” said Alison.

“I’m delighted we have secured funding for another year and that two further towns, Bodmin and Tiverton, will benefit from these patrols.”

Thousands of patrol hours and dozens of arrests

Since its launch last year, hotspot patrols have led to:

• 26,821 hours of targeted foot patrols

• 2,211 pieces of intelligence submitted

• 190 Public Protection Notices or safeguarding referrals

• 1,467 antisocial behaviour incidents attended

• 256 arrests

• 274 stop and searches

• 52 offensive weapons seized

• 248 pieces of property seized (including drugs and stolen goods)

• 177 enforcements of Public Spaces Protection Orders

• 8,022 uses of ASB Crime & Policing Act 2014 powers

The funding covers extra officer time for patrols, with teams placed in locations where they’re most needed.

Chief Inspector Dom Nicholls, who leads the project, said:

“Focusing highly visible police and street marshal patrols in areas of high levels of violence and ASB has been effective in both preventing crime and making people feel safer.

“I am really pleased that the force has received further funding this year as it provides the opportunity to build on the early success of hotspot policing and ensure that the public continue to see more police on the streets.”

Public engagement and safety powers

Since May 2024, patrol teams have engaged with more than 93,000 members of the public and visited over 40,000 premises. Residents and businesses have reported feeling safer due to the increased uniformed presence.

The scheme takes a multi-agency approach, with Devon & Cornwall Police, local authorities, Business Improvement Districts and other partners working together. Street marshals and neighbourhood policing teams have also shared intelligence during joint patrols.

Street marshals have been trained and accredited under the Community Safety Accreditation Scheme (CSAS), granting them limited policing powers to tackle antisocial behaviour more effectively.

Which areas are covered in 2025?

Hotspot policing will continue in:

• Barnstaple

• Bideford

• Camborne

• Exeter

• Exmouth

• Newquay

• Newton Abbot

• Paignton

• Penzance

• Plymouth

• St Austell

• Torquay

• Truro

• Bodmin (new)

• Tiverton (new)

A new goal for the year ahead is to cut knife crime in half across these areas.

Alison will also continue to match fund the street marshal patrols as part of the wider Street Focus project to make towns and city centres safer. For more details, visit: www.street-focus.co.uk