What a shocking week and weekend it has been.

I was deeply saddened to hear the news of Ann Widdecombe’s passing. Having only seen her in the media the day before, it came as a tremendous shock. Following a briefing from the Chief Constable on the circumstances surrounding her death, I found the news deeply distressing and, of course, was unable to discuss the matter while the investigation was in its early stages.

It was therefore a privilege to be able to pay my respects at the makeshift memorial on Dartmoor on Sunday. Whether you agreed with her views or not, Ann was a significant public figure with a large following and many devoted supporters. She was a woman of strong principles who was never afraid to speak her mind and always remained true to her beliefs without preaching them to others. While many of us did not agree with her on every issue, I admired her conviction, courage and authenticity.

I also want to reassure residents and visitors that, while this major investigation is underway, it is very much business as usual across Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. Policing continues around the clock, and extensive planning remains in place to ensure communities are kept safe throughout what is traditionally our busiest time of year.

With this summer already having seen June declared the hottest on record and the UK being in the midst of another heatwave and more predicted, Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has been welcoming an influx of tourists.

In 2025, the region saw an additional 20 million visits on top of our usual 300,000 day visits. This creates a significant increase in calls for service to Devon & Cornwall Police. Extensive planning for this exceptionally busy period is carried out many months in advance each year with improved activity being co-ordinated for 2026.

The annual summer policing enhancement is called Operation Marnow. It ensures the coordination of increased patrols, visible presence, and multi-agency responses to keep both locals and holidaymakers safe.

Coastal hotspots, road safety and the night time economy are among the key areas that form part of this focus. My role is not only to scrutinise the force to ensure that its summer policing plan can cope with the pressures of the holiday season but to also provide support.

That is why my office is once again the main funder of night bus services in Devon and Cornwall. By working with local councils and transport providers, we can offer a convenient and affordable way for people to get safely home on a Saturday night.

Since the successful scheme was first introduced in Christmas 2023, it has significantly expanded across the region. Nearly 34,000 passengers have now travelled on the night buses and since Easter, we are averaging more than 600 passengers a night – an increase of more than 70 per night compared to the 32 weeks the buses were running in 2025.

Since the introduction of a new route to Newton Abbot, we carried more than 1,000 passengers in just five weeks within Torbay.

Overall, the service has contributed to a reduction in antisocial behaviour and violence and reduces the likelihood of drink/drug drive cases. It is also reassuring that no incidents have been reported to the police on the buses themselves showing once again how effective they are and how the service is going from strength to strength.

In May I visited Newquay to launch the return of its summer night buses with some route changes, and a new service available in Perranporth. It is being delivered by new provider Go Cornwall for 16 weeks until Saturday, September 5. 

Newquay experiences the highest increase in policing demand during the summer so having a reliable and safe way of getting home is imperative to help with that. Night buses are also available in many areas of Devon all year round including North Devon, Torquay, Plymouth and Exeter.

Despite Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly being the number one tourist destination in England, frustratingly it does not receive the government funding it requires to not impact on its policing budget during its busiest months. I am extremely grateful to all the officers and other emergency services who work tirelessly throughout the summer to keep everyone safe, often working overtime and forsaking their own annual leave to do so.

I wish everyone a very happy and safe summer in one of the busiest places that so many of us are blessed to be able to call home.

Devon and Cornwall night bus timetables can also be found on the Devon & Cornwall Police website here: Night Buses | Devon & Cornwall Police