Sign in Subscribe
Police departments

Devon and Cornwall Police Refocuses on Community Policing Amidst Challenging Financial Year

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

As we begin a new year, the Devon and Cornwall Police force is embracing an opportunity to reassess its priorities and refocus on community policing. The force's new Chief Constable, Will Kerr OBE, has spoken about the importance of tackling the basics of policing, including anti-social behavior, drug dealing, and road safety, which are the issues that most affect people in the community. This shift in focus is driven by the public's clear priorities, as evident in the annual survey and focus groups conducted by the Police and Crime Commissioner, Alison Hernandez.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Devon and Cornwall Police force has refocused on community policing, prioritizing issues that most affect the community, including anti-social behavior, drug dealing, and road safety.
  • The new Chief Constable, Will Kerr OBE, has emphasized the importance of tackling the basics of policing, stating that morality and public service are at the core of the job.
  • The Police and Crime Commissioner, Alison Hernandez, has conducted annual surveys and focus groups to understand the public's priorities, with over 1,000 people completing the survey so far this year.
  • The public's priorities have driven the work of Alison Hernandez, including the setup of Operation Scorpion to tackle drug use and dealing, and the Vision Zero road safety partnership.
  • The force has invested in reopening front desks at police stations, with four reopened and two more planned, and has received over 3,500 responses to a survey on which front desks to reopen.
  • The Devon and Cornwall Police force is planning for a challenging financial year, but thanks to community investment, the new Chief Constable will have more officers at his disposal than any previous Chief Constable.

Statistics:

  • 1,000 people have completed the annual survey so far this year.
  • Around half of correspondents in the survey say anti-social behavior and drug dealing are the police-related issues that most bother them.
  • A quarter of people in the survey say road traffic issues are a major concern.
  • 75% of respondents last year supported investing in reopening front desks at police stations.
  • Over 3,500 people have responded to the survey on which front desks to reopen.

Sources:

  • Devon and Cornwall Police Website: www.devonandcornwall-pcc.gov.uk
  • Alison Hernandez, Police and Crime Commissioner.

(Caption: New Chief Constable Will Kerr is interviewed while out on patrol in Plymouth, on New Year's Eve)

Read more