Extra police officers deployed to Torquay in response to feedback from community

In response to feedback captured in a local police survey, extra police officers will be deployed to Torquay town centre for the next four-weeks to deter offenders and keep people safe.

Police Inspector Ben Shardlow said: “The extra officers will enable us to amplify our impact in the area. It means we can be visible in more crime hotspot areas, target more offenders and achieve more positive outcomes for our community.”

Additional police officers will support the current neighbourhood police team by carrying out increased high-visibility patrols across the town. This activity follows feedback shared in the local police survey, which was launched at the beginning of January.

The survey provides the public with an opportunity to have their say on community policing in the local area. The five-minute online survey will remain open across 2025: Torquay Town Centre Engagement Survey.

“Capturing feedback from the survey is an essential tool for us to make sure we’re policing communities in the way our communities want to be policed, addressing things that matter most to them. By the public telling us what makes them feel safer, we can understand what tactics our police officers should use to have the biggest impact on public safety.

“It’s clear that our communities want to see more police officers on their streets, so that’s exactly what we have done.

“I understand that this is only short-term, but I hope the impact will be felt hugely across the town. Police officers will have a clear focus; patrol at peak times when we know crime is more likely to occur, pursue prolific individuals and provide a reassuring presence to the public.

“I’d like to make it clear that police officers aren’t going to just disappear after the four-week period. Our regular neighbourhood police team that operates within Torquay will continue to carry out their regular patrols across the town.”

If you’re able to, please take five-minutes to complete the survey. Your feedback will help to shape community policing in the town. Together we can make Torquay a safer place to live, work and visit: Torquay Town Centre Engagement Survey.

The survey forms part of the Street Focus: Torquay project. This is a multi-agency approach to bring real, long-term change to the area and increase community safety.

Responses to the survey are not monitored straight away. To report a crime, please visit the Devon & Cornwall website or call 101. If it is an emergency or a crime is taking place, call 999.

Regular updates about the police’s response to the survey will be shared on Facebook [@TorquayPolice], on the news section of the Devon & Cornwall Police website, and on Devon & Cornwall Alert.