Police patrols in anti-social hotspots to continue

Extra police patrols brought in during the summer to target anti-social behaviour hotspots will continue, it has been announced.

Devon and Cornwall Police said the patrols were introduced in parts of Exmouth and Penzance from July to September after funding was provided for officers to carry out foot patrols.

The force said the patrols, which received assistance from street marshals from local councils, led to 15 arrests, 34 public protection notices or safeguarding referrals and 86 antisocial behaviour incidents attended in the two towns.

Police said the initiative was "data-driven" in targeting hotspots and would continue until March 2025.

The force said Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Alison Hernandez secured £1m in Home Office funding to help pay for the hotspot policing in 13 towns and cities in Devon and Cornwall.

It added the scheme was part of a wider Street Focus project and an extra £200,000 from the PCC had maximised the number of partner patrols.

Penzance sector Insp Dee Evans said hotspot policing had been really effective and it was great to have the patrols continuing.

"The response from the community has been fantastic – residents are pleased to see us out and about, plus businesses have reported feeling a difference with the patrols in place," she added.

Grant Leitch, Exmouth's sector Insp, said the patrols had been "profoundly reassuring" for everyone.

Mr Leitch said: "It has meant we do exactly what the good people of Exmouth want and indeed what we also want to prioritise - namely, to be on foot patrol, engaging with our community, preventing criminality and robustly policing those who transgress."

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