Plymouth Police reflect on a year of challenges and successes

Plymouth’s policing teams are reflecting on a demanding yet impactful year, marked by significant successes in enhancing safety across the city. From addressing complex challenges like unexploded WWII ordnance to dismantling county lines gangs, officers have worked tirelessly to protect the community.

Chief Superintendent Scott Bradley, who oversees Plymouth’s police teams, acknowledged both the strides made and the obstacles faced in 2024.

“Reflecting on our work during 2024 has been really positive,” said Ch. Supt Bradley. “We’ve taken many steps to make our communities safer and deter criminals. However, it’s important to acknowledge the challenges we faced, including incidents that deeply affected our communities. It was a tough year for many, but seeing communities pull together during difficult times was truly inspiring.”

He explained that while progress has been made, there is more work to be done.

“As we move into 2025, we remain committed to making Plymouth a safer place to live, work, and visit. Visibility, quick responses, and effective handling of reports will remain our priorities, alongside proactive efforts to combat crime. We also need the public’s support to ensure success; reporting incidents and sharing concerns help us paint a clear picture of what’s happening when we’re not there.”

Key achievements in 2024

The introduction of Plymouth’s Neighbourhood Support Team (NST) in January 2024 marked a proactive step in addressing community-specific issues like antisocial behavior and crime.

The NST conducted over 1,000 hours of high-visibility foot patrols, leading to 50 arrests for offences ranging from violence to drug-related crimes. Their efforts resulted in the seizure of £20,000 worth of drugs and the arrest of a suspected supplier of drugs to under-18s.

“There is no doubt about the positive impact the NST has had on the safety of our communities,” said Ch. Supt Bradley. “Their presence has reassured the public and fostered trust, encouraging people to come forward with information.”

Officers in Plymouth responded to over 12,500 emergency calls in 2024, averaging more than 1,000 calls per month.

“We’ve improved our response times to 999 calls, a clear step forward,” noted Ch. Supt Bradley. “Our frontline officers work daily to keep the public safe, often entering unpredictable and dangerous situations. Their dedication and bravery are evident in everything they do.”

In June, Plymouth police collaborated with Merseyside Police to disrupt county lines drug operations, arresting 42 suspects and seizing £35,000 worth of drugs, £9,500 in cash, and 10 weapons. The operation also resulted in the confiscation of 11 vehicles and two Rolex watches.

“This was a significant success,” said Ch. Supt Bradley. “By removing harmful substances and weapons, we’ve disrupted criminal activity and made our city safer. Work to tackle county lines will continue throughout 2025.”

Neighbourhood police teams focused on prevention by addressing long-term issues and engaging with communities.

“While it’s hard to quantify crimes that didn’t happen due to our efforts, the feedback we’ve received confirms that our presence is making a difference,” said Ch. Supt Bradley. “Our proactive approach will continue in 2025 with a focus on deterring and disrupting criminal activity.”

Ch. Supt Bradley expressed pride in the achievements of Plymouth’s policing teams and gratitude for the public’s support.

“Our teams have shown incredible drive and bravery in keeping communities safe. Looking forward, there’s always more to do. Together, with the help of the public and our partner agencies, we can build on this progress and continue to make Plymouth safer in 2025 and beyond.”

The police are urging residents to report crimes and engage with officers to ensure a collaborative approach to safety in the city.