Sidmouth: Give your views on local policing

The police and crime commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly is asking people for their views on how to keep the region safe and reduce crime.

Alison Hernandez launched the Police and Crime Plan consultation on Thursday – her second since being chosen as commissioner in 2016, and the first since her re-election in May 2021.

In the original plan, published in her first year in office, Ms Hernandez outlined her aim to create 'safe, reliant and connected communities'.

She says these are the key priorities of the new plan, and has outlined the areas she hopes to focus on:

• Keeping communities safe by breaking the cycle of crime through prevention and innovation, focusing on community priorities such as of drugs, anti-social behaviour, road safety and violence; maximising visible policing, preventing business crime – particularly violence towards retail staff – and reducing opportunities for people to reoffend;

• Making communities more resilient by increasing public participation in policing, making the police and criminal justice services more sustainable, helping young people to reduce the chances of falling victim to crime, influencing Government on local issues and investing in crime prevention to strengthen rural communities;

• Better connecting the police and public by increasing access points to contact police, developing easy-to-use digital services, building trust and supporting people with diverse needs, collaborating to tackle crime in partnership and improving public confidence through world class local policing.

Ms Hernandez said: "We are fortunate to live in one of the safest parts of the Britain.

"Strong communities, an unprecedented investment in policing and organisations that work better with one another for their communities have helped reduce crime year after year.

"However, issues like antisocial behaviour, violence and dangerous driving still blight too many lives.

"I want to build on the work done so far to make us the safest area in the country, and one with world-class policing.

"My draft police and crime plan prioritises the issues that matter most to our communities, using data from surveys and the Office of National Statistics.

"But it is essential that the voice of our communities is reflected in the plan, which sets the strategic direction for the force, my partnerships and commissioning.

"So, I am asking people to take a few minutes to complete our survey. The answers will be vital in informing the decisions that lie ahead."

More focus needed on domestic abuse and sexual violence?

While many issues are covered by the priorities of the draft plan, some charities and support groups would like a more specific focus.

First Light is a charity supporting people in the south west who have been affected by domestic abuse and sexual violence. Its chief executive Lyn Goodin recognises the work done by the police in tackling violence and anti-social behaviour but would like domestic abuse and sexual violence to be listed among the priorities in the draft plan.

Ms Gooding said: "Historically the police and crime commissioner has prioritised the need to tackle both domestic abuse and sexual violence, and as a charity who supports people whose lives have been seriously affected, we are very grateful for the support she has given charities such as ours, to help tackle the enduring effects of these crimes.

"We note with interest that her latest consultation survey does not specifically mention domestic abuse or sexual violence; instead it refers to the wider issue of violence, only making reference to violence against retail staff, and does not give people the opportunity to highlight more specific areas of concern.

"Whilst the last year has demonstrated an appetite within communities to both acknowledge and talk about abuse, historically we know that surveys rarely highlight the issues, and we would hope that evidence from other sources would also be captured and used to help inform the priorities in her new plan.

"The effects of the pandemic over the last year have impacted people's lives in many different ways, but most significantly have compounded the trauma for those living with abuse, the consequences of which have resulted in both murder and suicide of those living with abuse in Devon and Cornwall.

"It should also be noted that whilst some areas of crime have decreased, both domestic abuse and serious sexual violence continue to rise, yet prosecutions continue to fall, which is why police are appointing a national lead to focus on the issue.

"So we would urge the crime commissioner to not undo the work of her first term but instead include the prioritisation of work to tackle domestic abuse and sexual violence to help protect and save lives."

To contribute to the consultation process, go to the survey site.

The consultation runs until Wednesday 1 September.