Castle Circus residents have long been affected by antisocial behaviour (ASB) and serious violence, with residents and traders feeling unsafe, the area looking rundown, many vacant shop premises and not able to attract new businesses.
Street Focus: Torquay was launched after Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez secured £1 million from the Home Office to fund hotspot policing in multiple locations across Devon and Cornwall, including Castle Circus in Torquay. The funding sees additional police and uniformed community patrols in the town centre. The patrols provide a reassuring presence to help people feel safe while also proactively disrupting crime and acting as a deterrent.
This multi-agency approach was a collective vision for a safer town centre where the community can thrive with OPCC working in partnership with Devon & Cornwall Police, Torbay Council and SWISCo.
The project provided an opportunity to try and test new things to improve the environment, increase public confidence, reduce ASB and local crime rates and aims to bring real, long-term change to the area.
Our progress so far
Listening to the community is vital in shaping the work of the Street Focus: Torquay project. We have analysed the key themes from your feedback which has resulted in us working with our partners. Discover what we have achieved so far through Street Focus: Torquay by watching the video below.
Business Crime Reduction Solution inTorquay
UK Partners Against Crime (UK PAC) is a community of likeminded businesses working together to reduce retail crime.
The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) piloted the UK PAC Business Crime Reduction Solution in Torbay. One year’s free subscription wa offered to all businesses in Torbay funded by the OPCC. The cost after year one is a £10/month membership fee.
Benefits of signing up:
- Quick and easy to report crime via an online platform.
- Gain the advantages of working at scale – more intelligence and crime data to pursue offenders.
- Targeting of prolific and repeat offenders.
- Police are supported to collate quality evidence, leading to a higher rate of successful prosecutions.
- Access to UK PAC Partners and their services at a discounted rate.
Businesses are stronger together. By working in partnership, we can fight back against retail crime.
To find out more or sign up to the scheme, visit: UK Partners Against Crime – Together, We’re Stronger
Night bus
The Commissioner has financially supported the night bus scheme which includes two routes in Torbay in Torquay and Brixham as part of her wider work to improve community safety, prevent crime and make it easier for people to travel home safely after an evening out. Delivered in partnership with councils, transport providers, businesses and emergency services, the scheme helps reduce drink and drug driving, alcohol-related crime, antisocial behaviour and violence against women and girls, while supporting the night-time economy. Fares remain capped at £3 per journey, ensuring the service remains both accessible and affordable. So far, nearly 7000 passengers have used the night bus in Torbay.