Hotspot policing
Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez secured £1 million of Home Office funding to crack down on antisocial behaviour (ASB) and serious violence.
The funding will be used to deliver additional police and street marshal patrols in areas identified as hotspots from crime data. An additional £200,000 from the Commissioner will bolster the fund, maximising the number of partner patrols.
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Hotspots are areas that persist over a long period of time and have a significant effect on the quality of life for residents and members of the public visiting the locality. The issues present are often ingrained within an area and a sustained effort is required to lower the levels of crime and ASB.
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Hotspot policing is a proven methodology for reducing crime by targeting resources and activities in hotspots.
It involves increasing visible patrols by capable guardians e.g. police or street marshals. This deters offenders from taking advantage of opportunities to commit crime. A uniformed presence also helps reassure members of the public in areas where they may feel more vulnerable.
Patrol activities include:
Engaging with residents and businesses
Licensing and premises visits
Safeguarding referrals
Signposting the street-attached community to support services
Proactive policing e.g. arrests, stop & search, seizing offensive weapons and enforcement of Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs)
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Devon & Cornwall Police crime data was used to identify the areas allocated with funding. The top six areas, known as tier one, have received funding for additional police patrols and uniformed community patrols. These locations include: Exeter city centre, Plymouth, Torquay town centre, Truro city centre, Newquay town centre and Barnstaple.
A further seven areas, known as tier two, have received funding for uniformed community patrols. These areas are: Bideford, Exmouth, Paignton, Penzance, Camborne, St Austell and Newton Abbot.
Tier one hotspot areas
Tier two hotspot areas
