Priti Patel in Paignton to see Torbay's anti-crime initiative

Former Home Secretary Priti Patel visited Paignton to see first hand work being done to tackle drug related anti-social behaviour and help break the cycle of addiction from those involved.

She was invited by Torbay MP Kevin Foster and Devon & Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez. 

During her visit she met Paignton parish priest Father Neil Knox and visited the Haven drop-in centre to talk about the challenges related to anti-social behaviour and substance abuse they had faced.

The churchyard of Paignton Parish Church had seen significant issues with anti-social behaviour, with needles being picked up regularly, drugs being sold and some allowing their dogs to foul on graves. 

Yet given the fundamental beliefs of the church, the Parish adopted a plan to not only improve security and tackle crime, but to also offer the hand of Christian fellowship and a way out of addiction to those looking to change their lives.

The former Home Secretary was shown security improvements around the church which have been delivered as part of a £545,000 package of funding secured by Commissioner Hernandez from the Home Office’s Safer Streets initiative. This included additional CCTV, plus new street lighting in locations like Church Path. The church also hosts recovery services which give people a path to break a cycle of addiction and turnaround their life.

Alongside this The Haven, located close to the Parish Church, provided the venue for the winter night shelter run by local churches, with the team there talking about their work and how they link into the services being provided next door. 

During her visit Priti also spoke with Torbay Council leader Dave Thomas about the support being provided by the Council to help deliver this work, then headed to Victoria Street where she spoke with residents about their experiences of anti-social behaviour. 

MP Mr Foster said: "It was good to welcome Priti to Paignton for a visit which was a chance to reflect on the approach taken by Torbay Council, the Police and the team at Paignton Parish Church to tackle serious issues of anti-social behaviour. They not only looked to improve security, but to turnaround lives."