Rural crime added to policing priorities in West Devon

Rural crime has been included in West Devon’s neighbourhood policing priorities, following concerns raised during a recent public partnership meeting.

The 'West Devon Matters' event, held on Wednesday 14 May, brought together local police, councillors and the community safeguarding partnership to discuss issues affecting the area. As a result, the updated neighbourhood policing priorities now include anti-social behaviour, drug-related crime, road safety and rural crime.

Inspector Daniel Jones, who leads Neighbourhood Policing in West Devon, said: “Delivering policing with competence, compassion and a common-sense approach requires us to understand community concerns and the diverse needs of the people we serve and protect each day.”

Concerns raised by farming communities were a key factor in the decision to focus more heavily on rural crime.

“Our farming communities expressed concerns about rural crime which we know has a significant impact on communities both locally and nationally,” Inspector Jones said. 

“We’ve taken this on board and have established rural crime as a policing priority for the area.”

To support this focus, officers will receive training in the use of technology available through the force's Rural Affairs team.

“We’ll be working closely with the Devon & Cornwall Police Rural Affairs team to educate officers about all aspects of rural crime," Inspector Jones added. "We’ll also be training officers on using the latest technology available to the rural affairs team and will support them to deter organised crime that impacts our rural and farming communities.”

Recent figures show that anti-social behaviour has decreased by 3.4 per cent in the area over the past year. 

The force attributes this to regular patrols and public engagement.

Inspector Jones said: “My team go above and beyond to keep their communities safe and are always trialling new tactics and innovative ways to engage with members of the public.

“Police Community Support Officer Sean Jones led a fantastic skate jam event in Okehampton last month, which brought the community together and encouraged people of all ages to utilise resources available to them locally.”

Efforts to address drug-related issues continue, with several warrants already carried out and further operations planned. Speeding also remains a concern for many local residents. In response, a new speed safety camera will be deployed in areas where speeding has been reported.

“We know that speeding is a concern for many residents in West Devon and have authorised implementation of a new speed safety camera which will be used in areas reported to us to catch those breaking the law on our roads,” said Inspector Jones.

Residents are encouraged to report speeding concerns via the Devon and Cornwall Police website or by calling 101, including specific details about time, date and location.

From next week, Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) are being introduced by West Devon Borough Council in both Okehampton and Tavistock. 

The measures aim to tackle street drinking and anti-social behaviour by giving officers greater powers.

Inspector Jones said: “The order will allow police and authorised officers to disperse individuals who are causing a nuisance or disorder, and the power to remove alcohol from people who are drinking on the streets before a situation escalates.”

He added that while there will be an increased focus on the new priority areas, the overall level of service in West Devon will not be affected. 

“Whilst the newly outlined policing priorities for West Devon means the public will see an increased focus on anti-social behaviour, drugs, road safety and rural crime in the area, I want to be clear that this won’t impact the service we provide to our communities. Officers will continue to carry out patrols, support force wide action and respond to incidents as usual.”

Inspector Jones concluded: “We are committed to keeping people living in, working in and visiting West Devon safe and ask that any concerns are reported to us. As always, please call 999 in an emergency. Otherwise, information can be shared with us by filling in a form on our website or calling 101.”