Crime falls in Torquay as Street Focus hits one-year milestone

An ambitious project to transform Torquay into a safer town and a thriving community has reached a pivotal milestone.

It is now 12 months since collaborative new initiative Street Focus Torquay was launched to tackle the anti-social behaviour, drug abuse and violence which has been impacting upon the lives of local residents, businesses and visitors. 

The multi-agency effort convened by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner with Devon and Cornwall Police, Torbay Council and SWISCo, has achieved welcomed improvements since June 2024, particularly within Castle Circus and the wider town centre.   

Police hotspots have been a core element. In the past 12 months, Torquay hotspot patrols have achieved 1,072 hours of hotspot patrols, 88 pieces of intelligence submitted into police systems, 35 arrests, 37 stop and searches carried out, four offensive weapons seized,  81 anti-social behaviour incidents attended, 29 instances of policing powers being used, 21 safeguarding referrals made, 4,200 members of the public engaged with 1,546 premises visits made and 20 items of stolen property, drugs or alcohol seized. 

 The success of street marshal patrols was also celebrated. In the past 12 months  they have submitted 42 pieces of intelligence into partner community systems, engaged with 5,283 members of the public and made 2,931 premises visits. 

Above: Street Focus Torquay event speakers

Police and crime commissioner Alison Hernandez told the anniversary meeting: “I made a pledge a year ago to breathe new life into Torquay town centre by working together with stakeholders to tackle the issues local residents and traders have had to put up with for far too long. 

“A huge part of achieving that has been the introduction of Home Office-funded hotspot policing and anti-social behaviour patrols. These new high-visibility neighbourhood support team officers have had a great impact on deterring crime and rebuilding community confidence. 

“It has been supported with a wide range of other initiatives including new public space protection orders; a new mobile police station; a new dedicated anti-social behaviour lawyer for Devon and  Cornwall Police, stationed in Torquay police station; Crimestoppers Zone and  Neighbourhood Watch Community Safety Charter scheme. 

“I have personally been able to see the progress being made with my own eyes during three town centre walkarounds during the past 12 months.  

“Street Focus Torquay is now being used as a blueprint for other areas across the peninsula, including two new hotspots in Tiverton and Bodmin. This targeted joint approach highlights how effective it is when partners across different organisations work together – united by a collective vision to bring about long, lasting changes that benefit local communities.” 

Over the next 12 months, funding will continue for schemes that have already been launched alongside new ones. Business Crime Reduction Solution UK Partners Against Crime is a key change to assist retailers. The commissioner is funding a free 12-month subscription pilot for Torbay businesses to sign up to the new innovative online portal, also available as a smartphone app, that enables businesses to easily report issues such as shoplifting, anti-social behaviour and violence to police. It is hoped to lead to successful prosecutions and reduce crime on the high street. 

Recently, the commissioner has also announced the return and much-welcomed expansion of the successful night bus scheme. Buses are running again in North Devon and Torquay, plus on seven new routes in Plymouth and Exeter on Saturday nights until the end of the year. 

At the breakfast event, Devon and Cornwall Police Superintendent Hayley Costar — who heads up several neighbourhood policing teams in south Devon — gave an update on police progress in Torquay and also the government’s Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee which has made £200m available to police forces nationally in 2025/2026 to support the increase of neighbourhood officers in years to come. 

She said: “Street Focus has given us a real opportunity to work with partners for a holistic, long-lasting solution to ensure Torquay is a thriving town. 

“Through engagement and high visibility hotspot policing methods we have reduced anti-social behaviour by 25 per cent since Street Focus work began, protecting local communities and businesses thanks to investment from the OPCC and the commitment of our partners. 

“We would like to thank the community for their engagement with our surveys and would continue to encourage people to sign-up to Devon and Cornwall Alert to receive regular updates from us via text or email. The two-way system also allows followers to share crime information with us.” 

Above: Alison Hernandez speaking at the Street Torquay Focus event

Torbay Council reported during the event how its contribution to Street Focus Torquay has included enforcing new town centre public spaces protection orders which gives the council and police extra powers to move people on and confiscate alcohol. 

It has also carried out additional street cleaning, removed a bench near Factory Row and organised harbour railing painting in conjunction with community payback and the OPCC.   

It has also applied for its town centre officers to be part of the Community Safety Accreditation Scheme, a status conferred by the chief constable, which gives those involved in a community safety or traffic management roles a range of powers, such as the authority to issue fixed penalty notices for certain offences.  

During the next 12 months its future pledges include having six full-time town centre officers, creating an anti-social behaviour  action plan, reintroducing taxi marshals and hosting a public consultation on The Strand and Debenhams site. 

Cllr David Thomas, leader of Torbay Council, said: “The last year has seen some positive partnership working between, and within, organisations to stamp out the anti-social behaviour that can blight the lives of those experiencing it. 

“It’s now been a year since the alcohol and dispersal Public Space Protection Orders were introduced in Torquay along with alcohol PSPOs in Paignton and Brixham. 

“Since then, there have been more than 300 instances where town centre officers or police have approached individuals about their drinking and more than 30 occasions where officers have issued notices to individuals under the dispersal PSPO. 

“Our anti-social behaviour teams are also following up with enforcement where necessary and our CCTV and security teams are monitoring footage to help identify and apprehend offenders. All residents, workers and visitors should feel safer and more welcome in our town centres and it’s encouraging that so much work is going on to make that happen.”