Police and Crime Commissioner unveils new four-year plan for ‘relentless’ fight against crime in Devon and Cornwall

Commissioner Hernandez is today calling on everyone to play their part as she launches her new Police and Crime Plan, a bold vision to improve policing and crime services and create safer, more resilient, and connected communities. 

Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez says Devon & Cornwall Police must be ‘relentless’ in its fight against crime as she makes theft and alcohol-related offences new priorities for the force, alongside a renewed focus on rural challenges. 

Commissioner Hernandez is today calling on everyone to play their part as she launches her new Police and Crime Plan, a bold vision to improve policing and crime services and create safer, more resilient, and connected communities. 

The plan sets the direction of policing across the peninsula for the next four years and reflects extensive consultation with residents and partners. It outlines four strategic priorities – theft, drugs and alcohol, serious violence, and antisocial behaviour – tailored to specific locations: 

• Town and city centres: Tackling theft, shoplifting, and alcohol-related disorder, alongside efforts to reduce violence against women and girls.
• Countryside and coastal areas: A renewed focus on rural crime, including preventing livestock and equipment theft, tackling wildlife crime, and disrupting organised crime networks operating in remote areas.
• On the roads: A zero-tolerance approach to drink and drug driving, reducing road traffic fatalities and serious injuries, and targeting vehicle-related crimes.
• Homes and neighbourhoods: Supporting victims, disrupting illegal drug supplies, and improving responses to domestic abuse and residential burglaries.

The plan also sets out how the Commissioner will measure the performance of Devon & Cornwall Police, including improved call waiting times, more accurate crime recording, an increase in public confidence and the force being removed from His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabularies and Fire & Rescue Services ‘engage’ status. 

Recognising the unique challenges of policing one of the UK’s largest rural areas, the plan introduces measures to protect farmers and rural businesses from theft and ensures all rural thefts are investigated. Wildlife crime and illegal activities in remote areas are a major focus, with support for dedicated rural crime teams, Tri-Service Safety Officers, and rural crime prevention groups. 

The plan also prioritises intelligence-sharing to deter organised crime groups from exploiting rural and coastal routes, creating a ‘ring of steel’ to prevent drug trafficking and other illegal activities in these communities. 

An emphasis is on protecting women and girls from violence, particularly in homes and town and city centres. It includes measures to prioritise prevention, ensure robust responses to incidents, and improve support for victims. It calls for radical ideas to prevent domestic abuse, violence against women and girls, and child sexual abuse. 

Efforts will focus on creating safer spaces through visible policing, increased use of enforcement powers, and partnerships with local organisations to address the root causes of violence. 

Antisocial behaviour remains a priority in the new plan, reflecting widespread public concerns about its impact on communities. The plan includes measures to reduce disorder in town centres, address disruptive vehicle use, and combat behaviours that undermine the safety and wellbeing of residents. Key initiatives include visible hotspot patrols and the expansion of the Community Safety Accreditation Scheme, which empowers community partners to support police efforts. 

Young people are also a priority, with investment in prevention and diversion programmes designed to reduce their involvement in antisocial behaviour and violence. The plan focuses on early intervention, offering targeted support to those at risk of offending and working with schools to foster respect and responsible behaviour. 

Commissioner Hernandez said: “I want a police force that our communities can trust and be proud of; one that is fair, efficient, and relentless in its fight against crime and pursuit of justice. My new plan sets out what I expect from Devon & Cornwall Police over my current term of office, and I will be unrelenting in holding the Chief Constable to account for making the improvements our residents want and deserve to see. 

“While Devon and Cornwall remain among the safest places to live and work in the country, I understand the need for policing to focus on the things that matter most to our communities.  

“This plan reflects those priorities, addressing repeat offenders, repeat crimes and repeat victims while delivering a consistently high standard of investigation and conduct. From tackling theft and rural crime to reducing antisocial behaviour and improving safety for women and girls, this plan is about building safer, stronger, and more connected communities.  

“My commitment is to ensure that everyone, no matter where they live, can trust and have confidence in their police force.” 

The plan includes a promise to ensure all residential burglaries are attended by police, enhancing trust and victim support across the region. Increased investment will strengthen partnerships with rural businesses, local councils, and community organisations to ensure their voices are heard and their needs are met. 

Chief Constable James Vaughan said: “I am pleased to be supporting the Police and Crime Plan launched by the Police and Crime Commissioner this week.  The Commissioner has a clear mandate from the public and I will be working tirelessly to ensure that the force supports and delivers the aims of this plan over the coming years – focusing our activities on the issues that matter to communities across Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.  I am confident that the budget being presented to the Police and Crime Panel this week by the Commissioner will allow us to deliver and plan our services appropriately, as well as enabling us to deliver the clear improvement in performance required to see the force move out of the His Maesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services engage process.”

Residents are encouraged to engage with the plan and play their part in building safer communities.