New hotspot patrols have been launched in Newton Abbot

Street marshal patrols started in Newton Abbot this week as part of a hotspot policing initiative in Devon and Cornwall.

The patrols aim to proactively disrupt crime and act as a deterrent, as well as providing a reassuring presence to help people feel safe. 

Newton Abbot Security Trust (NAST) will be delivering the patrols. They operate the CCTV system and work closely with businesses to ensure safety in the town centre. The funding allows an extension of their service with high visibility foot patrols.  

The patrols represent a multi-agency approach to improving community safety. Key parties came together for a briefing to learn more about the proven methodology of hotspot policing. Partnership working between Teignbridge District Council, Newton Abbot’s neighbourhood policing team, and the NAST street marshals will make a real difference to the town centre. 

Cllr Lin Goodman-Bradbury, Teignbridge District Council’s Executive Member responsible for community safety, said: “We’re pleased to have been successfully awarded this funding, which will help reduce crime and antisocial behaviour and provide reassurance to residents and visitor to the area, through increased visibility of uniformed patrols. 

“In our recent conversations with local communities and residents to develop our One Teignbridge plan for the district, many highlighted community safety as a high priority, so we’re focusing on finding ways to increase this and work with our partners to help people feel and stay safe.” 

Devon & Cornwall Police crime data was used to identify the hotspot locations and create patrol plans which have been shared with partners.  

Funding has also been allocated for extra police patrols over the summer. This will allow daily patrols in the town centre and impactful community engagement. The police and street marshals will be working closely through joint patrols and sharing insights.  

Newton Abbot Sector Inspector James Johnson said: “Hotspot patrols are key to providing impactful engagement and a reassuring presence in the areas we are needed most. By using this proven methodology, we can be confident that we are working to make our community safer. Collaborating with our partner agencies will further strengthen our efforts to decrease antisocial behaviour and serious violence in Newton Abbot.” 

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. The funding is shared across multiple locations in 13 towns and cities, including Newton Abbot. A further £200,000 in funding from the Commissioner will help to maximise the number of partner patrols across Devon and Cornwall.