Police and partners work together as hotspot patrols launch in North Devon
Bideford and Barnstaple are the first towns to launch street marshal patrols funded by a hotspot policing initiative in Devon and Cornwall.
The patrols aim to provide a reassuring presence to help people feel safe while also proactively disrupting crime and acting as a deterrent.
Briefing and launch events were held this week to kick off the patrols. In Bideford, key parties came together at the Town Hall to learn more about the proven methodology of hotspot policing. This included members of the team at Torridge District Council and the street marshals they commissioned, as well as the council’s CCTV operatives and police representatives.
Members of Torridge District Council, Bideford neighbourhood policing team and street marshals after a briefing event at the Town Hall
Cllr Philip Hackett, Lead Member for Public Health & Community Safety, Torridge District Council said: “We want our town centres to be vibrant and welcoming, so it’s vital that residents and visitors can enjoy these spaces feeling safe and protected. As Councillors we have been lobbying the Police and Crime Commissioner for several years for funding for Street Marshals in Bideford as we have seen how important they are in assisting with control of antisocial behaviour (ASB) in the town.
“Our close partnership with the police already includes joint working arrangements in both the police station and the council offices, in addition to regular joint patrols and visits. These additional ASB Hotspot patrols will enhance the valuable work already undertaken, capitalising on the existing work around public and community safety, reassurance, and harm-reduction.”
Collaboration between the police and council is vital to create real, long-term change. Devon & Cornwall Police crime data was used to identify the hotspot locations and create patrol plans which have been shared with partners.
Inspector Ewan Seear, who heads up Bideford’s neighbourhood team, said: “We are looking forward to working with our partners in the community more closely in the coming year to provide high-visibility patrols in Bideford town centre. The hotspot policing method aims for us to have a visible presence in the right areas at the right time so we can regularly challenge individuals involved in ASB and improve the area for all in the community.”
Hotspot policing has already made an impact in Barnstaple. The town has received funding for both additional police and street marshal patrols as part of this initiative.
Since starting in May, over 200 hours of police patrols have led to attendance at 27 ASB incidents and two arrests. The patrols enable proactive policing and impactful community engagement. Feedback from the community has been very positive with members of the public and businesses pleased to see an increased police presence in the town centre.
The police have already been working successfully with street marshals in Barnstaple
Inspector Andrew Wills, who heads up Barnstaple’s neighbourhood team, said: “We’re really pleased that the hotspot funding has secured an increased high visibility foot patrol presence of both police officers and street marshals across Barnstaple town centre throughout the next 12 months. Our officers have been working closely with our street marshal team since they started work here in 2023.
“Our local neighbourhood policing team has also received a staffing uplift, leading to a greater presence in our community and an improved focus on problem solving, focusing on or targeting those who are repeatedly involved in crime or nuisance. Since that time, we’ve seen a 42% year on year reduction in reported antisocial behaviour incidents across the town centre area. This proves our approach works and it’s made a real difference, but achieving the task takes time and resources. The ASB hotspot funding will ensure the continuation and expansion of this work, using an evidence-based approach to make us all as efficient and effective as possible.”
A briefing was held at Pannier Market in Barnstaple prior to additional street marshal patrols starting. This provided an opportunity to for both police and partners to discuss the hotspot patrols, while also sharing local insights.
Barnstaple neighbourhood policing team, street marshals and local council members after a briefing event in Pannier Market
Hannah Harrington, Place Manager at North Devon Council, said: "We work closely with Devon and Cornwall Police and our partners to ensure Barnstaple is a place where residents and visitors alike can feel safe and enjoy. The Street Focus project means there will be a consistent visible presence in the town centre, and our street marshals will be on hand able to provide that reassurance as well as assistance when needed.
“We are committed to continuing our strong relationship with the Barnstaple Neighbourhood Policing Team and working together to tackle antisocial behaviour in the town centre.”
Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez secured £1 million in Home Office funding 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 Barnstaple and Bideford. A further £200,000 in funding from the Commissioner will help to maximise the number of partner patrols across Devon and Cornwall which will commence in the coming weeks.