Devon & Cornwall Police News site

This month, the Barnstaple Neighbourhood Policing team secured a closure order and a criminal behaviour order as part of their ongoing commitment to tackle antisocial behaviour in North Devon.

On 18 November 2025, Barnstaple Magistrates’ Court granted a closure order for an address on Victoria Road in Barnstaple after the property became a hotspot for antisocial behaviour; causing persistent disruption to the local community.

A closure order means that it is an offence for anyone other than registered tenants, the landlord (and agents) or emergency services to enter the address for a three-month period.

Police applied for the closure order following prolonged reports of antisocial behaviour and disorder.

Sergeant Chris Mannell is Neighbourhood Team Leader for Barnstaple town centre. He said: “The closure order will initially be in place for three months but, should issues persist, we will be able to apply to the Court for a further or extended order.

“My team will be monitoring the situation closely and will take action against anyone who chooses to breach the conditions which have been imposed.

“We would like to thank the community for their engagement and welcome continued reporting of any issues at this property through our published contact methods.”

The Barnstaple Neighbourhood team are committed to tackling anti-social behaviour in the community, and will continue to take steps to secure court orders and use preventative powers to deal effectively with the behaviour of repeat offenders

Their efforts were demonstrated earlier this month when, on 9 November, a local man was arrested and charged with 15 offences of shoplifting with three further offences taken into consideration.

Paul Hector Willmore, aged 60, was refused bail and appeared at court on 10 November 2025, where he was sentenced to 26 months in prison.

Following a further court appearance on 19 November, Willmore was made the subject of Criminal Behaviour Order to prevent any future offending on his release from prison. The Criminal Behaviour Order will be in place for five years and Willmore will be prohibited from:

• Acting in an anti-social manner which may cause or is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to any person within England and Wales.  This includes behaviour which is intimidating or threatening to any person.
• Being drunk or under the influence of alcohol or any illegal substance in a public place.
• Being in possession of an open container of alcohol in a public place, saved for licensed premises.
• Entering any Tesco, Marks and Spencer or Boots store.
• Entering any store from which he has been banned (and has received written notice)

Sgt Mannell added, “Criminal Behaviour Orders are a powerful tool that will help to prevent Willmore from committing criminal offences or causing anti-social behaviour in our community.

“There are now eight individuals who are subject of Criminal Behaviour Orders in Barnstaple, with a further order at the application stage.

“I hope this sends a clear message to offenders that persistent offending will not be tolerated, and reassures our local community that we are committed to tackling the issues that affect them.”

Barnstaple Neighbourhood Team work in partnership with North Devon District Council to make use of the full range of powers available under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act. Over the past 12 months, officers in Barnstaple have applied for Civil Injunctions, Community Protection Notices, Acceptable Behaviour Contracts, Criminal Behaviour Orders and a Closure Order.

Anyone with concerns or information about antisocial behaviour should report it to police online using the reporting tool on the force website or by calling 101.

Always call 999 in an emergency or if a crime is in progress.