Safer Streets Paignton

Paignton has received funding on projects that will reduce antisocial behaviour (ASB) and violence against women and girls (VAWG) and improve feelings of safety of people living, working and visiting the town centre and seafront.

We made a successful application along with the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly to the Home Office’s Safer Streets fund (round 5).

The money, which includes match funding, will be spent until March of this year on different activities to reduce crime and disorder.

We have been working closely with the police, businesses and community groups by:

• Introducing extra police as part of Devon and Cornwall Police’s Project NightEye. One element of this campaign is Project Vigilant, a national campaign which aims to prevent sexual offences by proactively identifying predatory sexual behaviour and intervening to prevent it escalating.
• Training for professionals working in the night-time economy – such as door stewards, street pastors and event stewards – to identify predatory behaviour and, where appropriate, intervene.
• Improving street lighting
• Funding street marshals
• Funding a town centre officer
• Introducing Restorative Circles run by Make Amends
  • These are meetings of groups of people bonded by a common experience – for example residents who have experienced ASB or traders affected by shoplifting.
• Making CCTV upgrades
  • Additional cameras and monitors
  • New viewing suite
  • Adding signage
• Improving target hardening
  • Improving lighting at Victoria Park and cutting back overgrown foliage
  • Repairing lighting in the grounds of Parkfield House
  • Tackling ASB in Victoria car park
  • Installing new CCTV, lighting and fencing at Paignton Parish Church
  • Cutting back trees to improve the quality of lighting on the Garfield Road entrance to the park
  • Removing graffiti and stickers
  • Installing cast-iron wayfinding signposts
  • Adding more bins
  • Repairing of benches near the former skate park
  • Removing seating near Victoria Square car park which has become a magnet for anti-social behaviour
• Installing Crimestoppers signs to encourage anonymous reporting of criminal activity
• Promoting Neighbourhood Watch activity – the charity will be supporting existing volunteer co-ordinators and setting up new schemes

This video explains more about how we’ve been working in partnership with the police.

Town centre officers and street marshals

Uniformed town centre officers and street marshals assist in tackling ASB and improve community safety. They are on patrol in Paignton as part of Safer Streets and you will also see them in Torquay. Speak to them if you’re concerned about anything.

Watch this Devon and Cornwall Police video to find out more about hotspot policing, which sees town centre officers and street marshals working alongside police officers to keep our streets safe.

Other community safety work happening in Paignton 

• Safety of Women at Night Charter

Our popular Safety of Women at Night Charter, has more than 100 signatories since being set up in 2023.

• Walk and Talk

Women aged 18 or over, living or working in Paignton or Torquay, can meet a female officer at a location they have concerns about. The officer will walk with the woman and hear more about the problem. She will listen and take note of the concerns so that, together with community partners, police can start tackling some of the issues.

Apply to take part in a Walk and Talk

• Help and support for anyone in Torbay who needs protection from domestic abuse and / or sexual violence

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