Street marshals have launched in Torquay and Paignton as part of a hotspot policing initiative. The street marshals will be working alongside town centre officers and the police to address antisocial behaviour (ASB) and improve community safety.

Funding for hotspot policing has enabled extra police and town centre officer patrols in addition to the street marshals. With three resources, there will be an increased uniformed presence in both town centres. They will be conducting targeted foot patrols in areas identified as hotspots to deter and disrupt crime.

Councillor Hayley Tranter, Cabinet Member for Adult and Community Services, Public Health and Inequalities, said: “I’m pleased to see this extra resource in our town centres. We know that people like to see patrols on our streets – whether they’re police, marshals or town centre officers. They all provide that reassurance that the public want. This investment sits alongside Operation Town Centres, our mission to ensure our town centres are safe for all who live, work and visit them.”

Torquay received funding for both police and partner patrols as part of this initiative. From May to September, over 600 extra hours of police patrols have been carried out with officers engaging with more than 1,800 members of the public. This has led to 57 intelligence submissions, attendance at 71 ASB incidents and 15 arrests.

The town centre officers have also been operational in Torquay since May. Now a team of five, with two roles funded by hotspot policing, they have become a real asset. Both residents and local businesses have expressed their appreciation, noting that the visible patrols have made the town feel safer.

The officers help to enforce the Public Spaces Protection Orders which enable police and authorised officers to direct individuals out of the town who are causing a nuisance or disorder, and the power to remove alcohol from people who are drinking on the streets. Between July and September, there were 32 Dispersal Notices served and 162 directions to surrender alcohol in Torquay.

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. This is a collective vision for safer city and town centres where communities can thrive. The multi-agency work in Torquay will be used as a blueprint for other areas across the peninsula.

Commissioner Hernandez said: “Hotspot policing is about focusing our resources where they will have the greatest impact. Partnership working between the police and local authority is a key part of this initiative and strengthening our efforts to keep Torbay safe. We are already seeing positive results from this targeted approach. With the added support of the street marshals, I’m confident we will further enhance our united front against antisocial behaviour.”

A summer uplift enabled extra police hotspot patrols in Paignton. 120 hours of foot patrols delivered engagement with 450 members of the public, 16 intelligence submissions, attendance at 11 ASB incidents and one arrest. The town centre officers and street marshals will continue delivering hotspot patrols with the support of the police.

Inspector Peter Giesens, who heads up the neighbourhood policing teams in Brixham and Paignton, said: “Hotspot policing is a tried and tested method of providing the most effective high-visibility engagement to aid in the prevention of crime. This innovative methodology will help to make Paignton a safer town for residents to enjoy and my team will be working closely with the local authority to ensure its success.”

Hotspot policing is now being delivered in thirteen towns and cities across Devon and Cornwall.

Read more about Operation Town Centres