Policing plan cracks down on anti-social behaviour
Hannah Stacey/BBCPolice visibility is set to increase over the summer months to counter anti-social behaviour, police leaders say.
The Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly said measures were going into place as the "population increases dramatically during the four months of the summer".
Commissioner Alison Hernandez said officers who normally delivered training would spend a minimum of five shifts on patrol or in other public-facing roles alongside senior officers who led operational teams.
She said: "I want to say a heartfelt thank you to all officers and staff... helping to maintain public visibility during this exceptionally busy time."
'Safest places'
Hernandez added she was pleased to see the summer plan for policing was "extensive" and "coordinated".
"Every summer, the challenge is the same – when it comes to domestic tourism, we welcome more visitors than anywhere else in England – including London," she said.
She added it was brilliant news for the economy but had a "serious strain" on the police force.
She said: "Calls for service increase and incidents of anti-social behaviour rise.
"This summer policing plan will help ensure Devon and Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly remain some of the safest places to live and visit in the country."
In 2025, there was a 15% increase in the number of urgent incidents the force responded to between June and September – an average of 292 per day, compared with an average of 255 a day across the eight months of the rest of the year, the commissioner's office said.
It said training that was due to take place in August had been rescheduled and the amount of leave officers and staff were allowed to take in July and August was restricted as part of the plans.
The office added the chief constable would support the initiative by spending time with the force contact team and Hernandez would join a police officer on patrol in Barnstaple, north Devon.
Alongside those who were joining patrol teams responding to urgent calls, other officers who would normally be delivering training would be doing custody shifts or supporting detectives investigating crime, it also said.
