Have your say on community policing in Torquay

To help shape police activity in response to community concerns, Devon & Cornwall Police are reaching out to communities in Torquay to ask for their feedback about safety in the town.

Inspector Ben Shardlow, who heads up neighbourhood police teams in Torquay town centre, said: “We want to provide the public with a simple way to tell us about the issues they’re seeing on the streets, what is having an impact on how safe they feel and an opportunity to share ideas on tackling their concerns.”

The short five-minute Devon & Cornwall Police survey can be completed online here: Torquay Town Centre Engagement Survey. The survey will run throughout 2025 and responses reviewed on a monthly basis.

“I understand that the public may have reservations such as ‘you should know what to do, you’re the police’ or ‘we’ve told you this before.’

“To be clear, this isn’t about the police not knowing what to do. The heart of true community policing is, of course, the community. So for us it is vital that the public are able to share feedback about policing in their area.

“Problems change and what matters to you can change. We want you to feel heard and your feedback valued. This survey is a chance to make sure we’re taking the right steps to make everyone feel safe.

“As a result of consulting closely with members of our local communities, it has allowed us and our partners to focus our resources on specific areas that the public have told us about. We have increased the number of high visibility patrols in the town centre and have also obtained additional orders to prevent individuals from being in specific locations in the town or behaving in ways which cause alarm to the public.

“If you’re able to, please take five-minutes to complete the survey. By working together with the public, we can make Torquay a safer place to live, work and visit. Thank you.”

The survey forms part of the Street Focus: Torquay project. This is a multi-agency approach to bring real, long-term change to the area and increase community safety.

Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez, who is leading the Street Focus: Torquay project, said: “Street Focus is all about strong leadership and partnership working. We now need the community to get more involved. I’m committed to trying out new initiatives in Torquay to tackle the issues residents and businesses are facing but it’s important to gather feedback so we can continue to drive progress. Please take a few minutes to have your say by answering the survey. Tell us what’s working and what isn’t, and together we will create a safer town centre where everyone can thrive.”

Responses to the survey are not monitored straight away. To report a crime, please visit the Devon & Cornwall website or call 101. If it is an emergency or a crime is taking place, call 999.

Regular updates about the police’s response to the survey will be shared on Facebook [@TorquayPolice], on the news section of the Devon & Cornwall Police website, and on Devon & Cornwall Alert. 

Neighbourhood police teams also organise regular engagement events and deployments of the mobile police station, allowing the public to meet local police officers and share their feedback in person. To find out dates for upcoming sessions, visit: Torquay Town Centre | Your area | Devon and Cornwall Police | Devon & Cornwall Police.