Latest Police Station Opening Will Benefit Young and Old
Young people and over 65s are expected to welcome the reopening of Devon and Cornwall Police’s enquiry office in Kingsbridge the most.
It is the latest front office to open in one of the biggest campaigns in the country to improve police contact.
From Monday 22nd January, people in Kingsbridge will be able to report a crime in person or just ask for help at the newly opened office.
Members of the public will have access to the walk-in service where they can speak to trained staff who can help with crime reporting, crime prevention advice and help with accessing victim services.
The Police Enquiry Office will be open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 3pm and follows the successful opening of several front desks across the region.
The Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, Alison Hernandez, said: “The community of Kingsbridge will now be able to access policing closer to home when needing to report a crime or ask for advice.
“This forms part of the most ambitious programme of Police Enquiry Office reopening in the country and my vision is for face-to face contact with the force to be an option for everyone in our force area. This will ensure that wherever you live in Devon and Cornwall – including rural, coastal and urban areas – you will be able to access a Police Enquiry Office.”
Police enquiry offices in Ilfracombe and Honiton are scheduled to open before the end of March.
It will bring the total number of police station front desks open to the public across Devon and Cornwall to 27 by 2025.
Analysis by Devon and Cornwall Police and the Police and Crime Commissioner suggests most residents of Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly support more investment in this project and an accessible face-to-face policing service delivered through enquiry offices.
A recent survey revealed 16- to 24-year-olds were the most likely to think opening enquiry offices would significantly increase public confidence in the police and over a quarter of people aged over 65 agreed.
Following the opening of Newquay in 2020, a total of 17 front desks are scheduled to be created under the plans, taking the total number of front offices across the force area to 27.
Four more stations will be opened in the coming financial year.
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