Devon & Cornwall Police News site

Police in Exeter are working hard to reassure the public that anti-social behaviour in the city centre is a priority and action is being taken. 

Operation Loki high visibility foot patrols have continued all summer in the city and officers have made several important arrests recently, as well as working with partners such as the council to address concerns. 

There are ongoing police and council efforts to tackle anti-social behaviour issues which can include street drinking, shoplifting, assaults, verbal abuse or drug dealing. During August, Devon and Cornwall Police have had some positive court results in the disruption of anti-social behaviour in Exeter.

Results from Operation Loki in August include:

• A Criminal Behaviour Order was issued against a 38 year old woman from Exeter who has been banned from entering prohibited areas for three years and is not allowed to be in possession of a can or bottle of alcohol in the streets of Exeter.
• A 20 year old man of no fixed abode was sent to prison for 25 weeks for theft and anti-social behaviour.
• Another man aged 48 from Exeter was sentenced to 60 weeks in prison for using threatening insulting words or behaviour with intent and having a craft knife in a public place – namely Exeter bus station.

Acting Superintendent John Shuttleworth, who has represented Exeter, East & Mid Devon Local Policing Area over the summer period, said: “It is a case of a few ruining the enjoyment of the city centre for a majority of law abiding visitors, workers and residents and we will not tolerate their anti-social behaviour. We are actively addressing it. We want people to know Exeter is a safe and welcoming city and those who don’t wish to abide by social rules of acceptable and lawful behaviour, will be targeted.”

Devon & Cornwall Police are part of Safer Exeter, the Community Safety Partnership made up of different agencies working together to make improvements to the city and increase safety for the community. The Safer Streets project has delivered CCTV improvements with new state of the art, high resolution cameras and greater coverage of the city, better street lighting, as well as the creation of Safe Spaces for anyone who feels vulnerable on a night out or needs support.

The Safer Streets funding – which partly came from the Devon & Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez and the Home Office – has also paid for Bystander Intervention Training which gives members of the public the skills and confidence to step in and respond to potentially harmful situations - be that diffusing it, offering help to the victim or calling on others to help them out. The free sessions aim to help reduce levels of harassment and violence against women and girls in Exeter.

Many organisations have also pledged their support for the city’s Safety of Women at Night (SWaN) charter and Safer Streets funding also supports the Best Bar None scheme which recognises licensed premises who promote customer safety.

Dennis Cavanagh, Control Room Operations Manager for Exeter City Council, recently hosted a visit by Devon & Cornwall Police Acting Chief Constable Jim Colwell who went to see the impressive CCTV suite for himself.

Dennis added: “We currently monitor around 250 cameras across the city, this number will rise to over 300 this autumn. Our state-of-the-art CCTV has provided vital evidence for recent high profile court cases, leading to lengthy convictions. We have sixteen dedicated control room staff all trained to proactively monitor for anti-social behaviour and they are in direct contact with police dispatchers should attendance be required.

The anti-social behaviour action team meets on a monthly basis to consider cases of individuals causing problems, locations where there are current problems and types of antisocial behaviour. Agencies have signed up to the police escalation process, which involves warning letters, Acceptable Behaviour Contracts (ABCs) followed by Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBOs).

The local Neighbourhood Police Team in Exeter, headed up by Inspector Simon Arliss, is determined to provide a good service to the community, including local business owners, residents and visitors. To find out about your local police team please visit Your area | Devon & Cornwall Police (devon-cornwall.police.uk)

You can follow Exeter Police on Facebook and get regular updates. They also have an X (formerly Twitter) account @ExeterPol

Pic shows PCSO Martin Pascoe and PC Josh Page on patrol in Exeter. 

For more information about Safer Exeter please visit Safer Exeter - Exeter City Council