We and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly have secured more than £1.1m to tackle antisocial behaviour and violence against women and girls, it was announced on Monday 25 July 2022. 

The Home Office will provide £749,137 from the fourth round of its Safer Streets fund for a raft of projects in the council area, with £382,020 of match funding from the PCC and council.

Torbay residents can expect to see graffiti removed, more police on the beat, mobile CCTV cameras operating and many other improvements.

Op Hundred, the South Devon policing team’s project to get more officers on patrol in the community, is already in action, supported significantly by the uplift in police numbers.

A ‘safe night out’ programme will work with the Bay’s vibrant bar and restaurant scene through things like the relaunch of the Best Bar None programme, which sees responsible licensed premises working together to keep those who threaten their customers out of their businesses.

Next summer residents and visitors to the Bay will be reassured by extra street marshals, funded by this programme, to support the extra policing effort.

A community innovation fund will make £30,000 available to reclaim public spaces like parks and seating areas. This approach has worked wonders in Stonehouse, Plymouth, the beneficiary of an earlier round of Safer Streets funding, because it has engaged local residents and been run by them.

Councillor Steve Darling, Leader of Torbay Council, said: “We’re delighted that our bid was successful in drawing down the money that we need to improve Torquay. We know that safety in Torquay town centre is a massive priority for people who live, work and visit here. This funding will help us tackle the anti-social behaviour that can blight our community, in particular women and girls.”

Councillor Darren Cowell, Deputy Leader of Torbay Council, said: “We know traders and residents have had concerns about criminal activity in the town centre and we hope this money can be put towards a range of measures to address these anxieties. The money will complement partnership work we’re already doing, and will continue to do, to make our streets safer for all.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez said: “This represents the most significant investment in crime prevention in Torbay that I have been involved in.

“Antisocial behaviour is one of our communities’ top priorities. It blights lives, reduces the appeal of our town centres, and can escalate to the point where serious crimes occur. In partnership with our business community a great deal of work will take place to make these towns safer and more appealing to people who want to enjoy them without feeling threatened. The Violence Against Women and Girls agenda has started a national conversation about this issue and it is right that we put in place resources to tackle those legitimate fears.

“I am pleased to be working with police and councils on this issue and delighted the Government has listened to our arguments to provide substantial funding for these projects.”

Bids co-ordinated by the Commissioner for Barnstaple in North Devon and Truro in Cornwall were also successful.

Last year the Commissioner worked with Exeter and Plymouth councils to secure more than £900,000 of Safer Streets funding.