Police recieve £1 million extra funding for street patrols

Tiverton hotspots to be covered

Devon and Cornwall Police have been given a £1 million funding boost for extra foot patrols in towns and cities across the region.

The scheme has delivered more than 26,000 hours of additional patrols and the hotspot policing initiative is designed to tackle antisocial behaviour and serious violence with targeted police and street marshal patrols in areas with the highest levels of crime. 
 
The Home Office has now committed a further £1 million to continue hotspot patrols over the next 12 months – expanding the scheme to new hotspots in Tiverton. 
 
The funding pays for additional officer time to conduct the targeted patrols, providing a boost in visible policing where it is needed most. Local crime data is used to identify areas with the highest levels of crime and antisocial behaviour.  
 
While the priority is to prevent crime, the targeted approach to patrolling places police and partners in the right place at the right time, enabling proactive action. In the past year, this has led to: 26,821 hours of hotspot patrols, 2,211 pieces of intelligence submitted,190 Public Protection Notices or safeguarding referrals, 1,467 ASB incidents attended, 256 arrests, 274 stop and searches, 52 offensive weapons seized, 248 pieces of property seized e.g. drugs or stolen goods, 177 enforcements of Public Spaces Protection Orders, 8,022 other ASB Crime & Policing Act 2014 powers used. 
 
Chief Inspector Dom Nicholls, who heads up the project, said: “Hotspot policing was introduced across Devon and Cornwall last year and we have already seen positive results. 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.” 

Community engagement is a key part of hotspot policing to increase public reassurance. Since May 2024, more than 93,000 members of the public have been engaged with during a hotspot patrol and more than 40,000 premises visits. Businesses and residents have felt an increased uniformed presence and reported feeling safer as a result.  
 
A multi-agency approach has been vital in the success of hotspot policing. The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner has worked closely with Devon & Cornwall Police, local authorities, business improvement districts and other local partners.  
 
The street marshals and neighbourhood policing teams have carried out joint patrols and also shared intelligence. This has been made possible as a result of the street marshals receiving training and accreditation through the Community Safety Accreditation Scheme (CSAS).  
 
CSAS grants street marshals limited policing powers to enhance their ability to address ASB. The accreditation underpins the commitment to collaborative working, allowing partners and police to work together more efficiently to create safer communities.  
 
In the year ahead, hotspot policing will continue in the following areas: Barnstaple, Bideford, Exeter, Exmouth, Newton Abbot, Paignton,Plymouth,Torquay and Tiverton (new hotspot) across Devon
 
In addition to reducing Anti Social Behaviour and serious violence, cutting knife crime in half is a new objective for the initiative.  
 
Alison Hernandez, Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, will continue to match fund street marshal patrols. 
 
Commissioner Hernandez said: “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.  
 
“The success of hotspot policing really highlights the power of partnership working. With the police, street marshals and local authorities all working together, we’re creating a more coordinated, community-led approach to public safety.  
 
“I’m delighted we have secured funding for another year and that two further towns, Bodmin and Tiverton, will benefit from these patrols.”