Police target antisocial behaviour hotspots with increased Exmouth patrols
The success of hotspot policing over the summer has resulted in additional police patrols for Exmouth town centre.
Hotspot policing is a data-driven method of patrolling to tackle antisocial behaviour (ASB) and serious violence. Crime data was analysed to select the areas across Devon and Cornwall to receive Home Office funding. Initially, Exmouth only received funding for street marshal patrols. However, over the busy summer season, funding was provided for daily police foot patrols to help meet the increased demand for resources. The results from this uplift were so positive that Exmouth will now have funding to continue police hotspot patrols until the end of March 2025.
From July to September, 424 additional hours of police foot patrols were delivered in Exmouth. These targeted patrols were carried out in areas identified as hotspots to deter and disrupt crime. However, hotspot patrols place officers in the right place at the right time which has also enabled proactive policing. This has led to:
- 18 individual intelligence submissions
- 49 ASB incidents attended
- 6 arrests
- 10 Public Protection Notices (PPNs) or safeguarding referrals made
- 9 enforcements of Public Spaces Protection Orders
The patrols represent a multi-agency approach to improving community safety. East Devon District Council commissioned street marshals who are using the same proven methodology of hotspot policing. The marshals are working alongside the police to share intelligence and conduct joint patrols. Street marshals shared 41 pieces of community intelligence with police in the first three months of the initiative.
Exmouth’s community has welcomed the additional patrols, reporting feeling safer when seeing police and street marshals. Hotspot policing aims to engage with residents and businesses, not only to prevent crime but provide reassurance. This is evident in the results as officers and street marshals have engaged with more than 3,000 members of the public and made 575 premises visits.
Councillor Geoff Jung, Portfolio Holder Coast, Country and Environment, East Devon District Council, said: “This additional funding is very welcome, as we know from speaking with Exmouth residents and businesses that having a visible police presence on the streets makes them feel safer. While we hope the OPCC support can be extended beyond March 2025, the current commitment will reassure the local community that we’re taking a proactive and collaborative approach to preventing crime and ensuring Exmouth remains a safe and vibrant place to live and visit.”
Exmouth Sector Inspector Grant Leitch said: “Our deployments, enabled by Exmouth’s tier one funding, have been tremendously strengthening for both the people of the town and for my team who are privileged to serve here. It has meant we do exactly what the good people of Exmouth want and indeed what we also want to prioritise; namely, to be on foot patrol, engaging with our community, preventing criminality and robustly policing those who transgress. Ultimately, it is profoundly reassuring for us all.”
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. An additional £200,000 from the Commissioner has maximised the number of partner patrols. Exmouth is one of 13 towns and cities across Devon and Cornwall where hotspot patrols are being delivered.
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