New money available to tackle anti-social behaviour at Orcombe Point

Recent anti-social behaviour and fighting at Orcombe Point is being addressed by the area's police crime commissioner, who has allocated extra money to the area.

Devon's Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez is making extra money available to tackle antisocial behaviour in 20 key summer locations across the two counties ahead of Saturday's easing of coronavirus restrictions and a summer surge in visitors.

The funding can be spent on street marshals, CCTV, assisting volunteer schemes like Street Pastors and the provision of temporary toilets.

In recent weeks police and communities have had to deal with incidents of antisocial behaviour linked to excessive drinking as restrictions on people's movement have eased.

The new measures will help complement a wider summer policing plan that has enabled Devon and Cornwall Police to place extra resources at hotspots like Orcombe Point in Exmouth.

The 20 locations to benefit from the additional funding have been identified by Devon and Cornwall Police to help prevent alcohol related antisocial behaviour over the busy Covid-19 summer period.

The 20 locations are: Exmouth seafront and Orcombe Point, Exeter Quay, Exeter Cathedral, Bideford Quay, Woolacombe Beach, Croyde Bay, Torquay seafronts, Paignton seafronts, Newton Abbot, Teignmouth waterfront, Brixham Waterfront and Harbour, Towan Beach and waterfront (Newquay), Fistral Beach (Newquay), St Ives Waterfront, Lemon Quay (Truro), Perran Sands (Perranporth), Penzance waterfront, Bude waterfront, Plymouth Hoe and Plymouth Barbican.

The commissioner will be working with local authorities and community safety partnerships over the next few days to agree bespoke solutions for each of the locations but has immediately made available £3,000 per location to support this coming weekend.

This new initiative comes directly from discussions in Exeter last week between the Commissioner and the Council Leader in response to concerns about Exeter Quay. Exeter Quay, has seen significant problems in recent weeks, with residents reporting heavy drinking and people urinating in public and the Commissioner and the Council have agreed a package of additional support for the next 10 weeks.

Exeter City Council leader Councillor Phil Bialyk welcomed the initiative.

Cllr Bialyk said: "I'm very pleased to be working with Alison and her office on issues we have seen at Exeter Quay and I'm grateful for her quick response.

"There is a lot to be said for people taking personal responsibility when it comes to sporadic outburst of antisocial behaviour. It has been a national problem and unfortunately Exeter hasn't been immune.

"Together with the Commissioner I am confident we are doing everything within our control and resources to continue to retain Exeter Quay a stunning location for people to enjoy."

The Police and Crime Commissioner said that the funding was in addition to the £1.7m invested annually by her in community safety partnerships. These work with local partners to build safer communities.

"We are entering what is traditionally Devon and Cornwall Police's busiest period, with potentially even more visitors to the Westcountry than in previous years," she said.

"I welcome the fact that the bars, restaurants and cafes which are an important part of our economy will be able to open this weekend, and we can once again give tourists a warm westcountry welcome.

"But I do want people to behave responsibly and consider the impact of their behaviour on others. This funding represents a significant investment in practical measures that, in partnership with councils and police, will help keep people safe and reduce the impact of the impending changes to coronavirus regulations.

"Our work with Exeter last week identified a wider opportunity to see us help more locations and I am delighted we can offer similar support to a wider group of areas to help prevent alcohol related antisocial behaviour this summer – in addition to the significant investments already being made through our summer policing plans."