Plymouth police reflect on demanding year after thousands of incidents

Police in Plymouth have said they dealt with thousands of incidents last year and that the start of 2026 has already proved demanding.

Devon and Cornwall Police detailed how officers across the city faced a wide range of challenges during 2025, including missing person investigations, drug offences, road traffic collisions, antisocial behaviour, protests and retail crime. 

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Officers were also involved in responses to unexploded Second World War ordnance, flooding and other severe weather incidents.

Police said the city’s population increases during the summer months due to tourism, placing additional pressure on frontline teams.

Plymouth Police Commander Matt Longman said:

“As one of the blue light responders, we are used to dealing with very busy and challenging situations, and 2025 was no exception.”

He praised officers, staff and volunteers working in the city: “They are a very dedicated bunch and do their best to help the public round the clock,” he said. 

“There are a variety of significant demands across the city and we will continue to tackle crime in all forms and help the most vulnerable in society.”

Police figures show that during 2025 officers in Plymouth attended more than 7,000 emergency calls. 

More than 200 arrests were made in connection with shoplifting, leading to 453 charges, and there were over 6,000 bookings into Plymouth custody centre.

Officers also investigated more than 1,000 missing person reports relating to over 600 individuals, with some people reported missing more than once.

Plymouth city centre remains a designated hotspot area for foot patrols, with extra patrols funded through the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and the Home Office. 

Between 1 April and 31 December last year, officers carried out more than 1,500 hours of foot patrols in the city centre, focusing on antisocial behaviour and public engagement.

Volunteer Special Constabulary officers also supported policing, with 23 ‘Specials’ currently based in Plymouth. 

Police said Specials contributed more than 4,000 hours of unpaid duties during 2025, assisting neighbourhood and response teams, supporting events and carrying out high-visibility patrols. 

Commander Longman said the early weeks of 2026 had already proved testing at times.

“This year has been a busy one so far,” he said. “We have had another positive response to an unexploded bomb where we worked closely with the public and partner agencies to evacuate those affected and return the city to normality as quickly as possible.”

He added that the incident happened on the same day as a similar event in Exmouth.

“It shows, once again, how we work alongside our partners to successfully resolve situations,” he said.

Police said they remain prepared for further incidents and large events in Plymouth during the year ahead.