Neighbourhood policing priorities set for West Devon

PSPOs to be introduced next week

Rural crime has been added to neighbourhood policing priorities, in West Devon, following partnership meetings between the police, community safeguarding partnership and local councillors. 

The ‘West Devon Matters’ meeting means Neighbourhood Policing Teams in the area have set new priorities to focus on issues causing concern for local communities, including anti-social behaviour, drugs, road safety and rural crime.

Inspector Daniel Jones who leads on Neighbourhood Policing in West Devon said, “Delivering policing with competence, compassion and a common-sense approach requires us to understand community concerns and the diverse needs of the people we serve and protect each day.

“Our farming communities expressed concerns about rural crime which we know has a significant impact on communities both locally and nationally. We’ve taken this on board and have established rural crime as a policing priority for the area.

“We’ll be working closely with the Devon & Cornwall Police Rural Affairs team to educate officers about all aspects of rural crime. We’ll also be training officers on using the latest technology available to the rural affairs team and will support them to deter organised crime that impacts our rural and farming communities.”  

Data shows that anti-social behaviour in West Devon has decreased by 3.4% in the last 12 months.

Inspector Jones believes this is due to consistent police presence in the area, and innovative ways the neighbourhood team have been engaging with the public. He added, “My team go above and beyond to keep their communities safe and are always trialling new tactics and innovative ways to engage with members of the public.

“Police Community Support Officer Sean Jones led a fantastic skate jam event in Okehampton last month, which brought the community together and encouraged people of all ages to utilise resources available to them locally.

“The team have also executed several drugs warrants and we have a number of days of action planned over the coming months which will look to tackle issues our communities have told us are important to them.

“We know that speeding is a concern for many residents in West Devon and have authorised implementation of a new speed safety camera which will be used in areas reported to us to catch those breaking the law on our roads.”

Anyone with concerns about speeding should contact police using the appropriate form on the force website or call 101, providing detailed information about the location, times and days that speeding issues are observed.

Inspector Jones concluded, “Next week, Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) are being introduced in Okehampton and Tavistock by West Devon Borough Council, which will give our officers extra powers to tackle antisocial behaviour and street drinking.

“The order will allow police and authorised officers to disperse individuals who are causing a nuisance or disorder, and the power to remove alcohol from people who are drinking on the streets before a situation escalates.

“Whilst the newly outlined policing priorities for West Devon means the public will see an increased focus on anti-social behaviour, drugs, road safety and rural crime in the area, I want to be clear that this won’t impact the service we provide to our communities. Officers will continue to carry out patrols, support force wide action and respond to incidents as usual.

“We are committed to keeping people living in, working in and visiting West Devon safe and ask that any concerns are reported to us. As always, please call 999 in an emergency. Otherwise, information can be shared with us by filling in a form on our website or calling 101.”