High visibility patrols launched in four locations across Cornwall

Street marshal patrols launched in key locations across Cornwall as part of a hotspot policing initiative to tackle antisocial behaviour and serious violence.

The teams are patrolling areas identified as hotspots, providing a visible presence to deter unwanted activity as well as provide reassurance to both residents and businesses.

Briefing events were held in St Austell, Penzance, Newquay and Truro to learn more about the proven methodology of hotspot policing. The patrols represent a multi-agency approach to improving community safety with the local neighbourhood policing team, Business Improvement District (BID), local council, street marshals and Safer Cornwall all working together.

Members of Penzance Council, including Town Mayor Cllr Stephen Reynolds, the neighbourhood policing team, Penzance Business Improvement District (BID) and the street marshal team came together for a briefing before the start of the patrols.

Cllr Carol Mould, cabinet member for neighbourhoods at Cornwall Council, said: “Our street marshals play an important role when it comes to tackling antisocial behaviour and violence on our streets so it’s great news that we’ve been able to expand the service to offer hotspot patrols in those four key areas of St Austell, Penzance, Newquay and Truro.

“One of the council’s four key priorities is to create and maintain vibrant, safe and supportive communities and cross-partnership working like this is vital to achieve this goal.”

Street marshals are already a valuable resource in St Austell. The funding from this initiative allows an extension of their existing service to ensure greater visibility in the town centre.

In Penzance, street marshal patrols started earlier this month. They will be working with the neighbourhood policing team who have received funding for additional police patrols over the summer months. Together, they will keep the town safe for residents and tourists alike.

Hotspot policing has already made an impact in Truro. The city has received funding for both additional police and street marshal patrols as part of this initiative. Since starting in May, over 300 hours of police patrols have led to attendance at over 90 ASB incidents and 17 arrests.

The patrols also enable impactful community engagement which will be further supported by the Truro Rangers. The Truro Rangers have already been working successfully alongside Truro’s businesses and Truro’s antisocial behaviour officer. The funding will allow them to deliver additional patrols in the city centre.

The Truro Rangers will be working closely with the neighbourhood policing team.

Collaboration between the Newquay Rangers and police will make a real difference in the town centre. Sergeant Ian Weager, Neighbourhood Team Leader, said: “The street marshals are going to work closely with my neighbourhood team. They’ll be going out on patrols together. The street marshals will be sharing information with us, they’ll be there gathering intelligence, liaising with the local businesses and we’ll be working as one team so we can provide reassurance to the local community.”

Police patrols are already underway in Newquay as part of this initiative and extra overtime is now available over the summer months to meet the increased demand. The Newquay Rangers will also be extending their service thanks to the funding. Feedback from the community has been very positive with members of the public and businesses reassured by the increased uniformed presence.

£1 million in Home Office funding was secured by Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez for hotspot policing, which forms part of a wider Street Focus project. The funding is shared across multiple locations in 13 towns and cities, including St Austell, Penzance, Turo and Newquay. A further £200,000 in funding from the Commissioner will help to maximise the number of partner patrols with street marshal patrols due to start in Camborne in the coming weeks.