commissioner’s award

Nov122025

Noise camera enforcement being developed in Devon and Cornwall to tackle antisocial driving

Communities affected by antisocial behaviour (ASB) are being asked where they would like to see a new noise camera being deployed.

Following trials of the new technology in other parts of the country, Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez says she would like to see Devon and Cornwall Police working with councils to identify locations which would most benefit from the use of the technology.

A noise camera is an Automatic Numberplate Recognition (ANPR) camera attached to a microphone which can take a directional sound sample.

Currently, Devon & Cornwall Police have one camera which is situated near Exmouth seafront.

For the camera to become operational in any area the police need to work with councils to identify the most appropriate legislation for enforcement.

Evidence obtained from the camera can then be used by the police to penalise drivers.

Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez said: “My office is supporting an approach which, if successful, could totally revolutionise the response to this type of persistent ASB. The technology is already proven; the police are now working with a local council to agree plans for how the evidence from the camera is used when it is operational.

“The use of noise cameras requires close partnership working between councils and the police.

“Anyone who experiences ASB through noisy driving should report it to the police and the council. That evidence will help the police prioritise action and it could influence decisions about where the police deploy the new noise camera.

“I would also encourage anyone who has a noisy driver problem to contact my office to see if we can help coordinate the all-important partnership working between councils and the police.”

Advances in technology are already being utilised by Devon & Cornwall Police and the Vision Zero South West partnership to improve road safety. The force undertook the world’s first pilot of artificial intelligence camera systems designed to identify impaired drivers on the roads.

It has also used advanced AI camera systems to detect offences like mobile phone use and not wearing seatbelts.

Vehicle nuisance and anti-social driving can be reported to the police via online reporting system Operation Snap. Video footage and images can be submitted showing potential moving traffic offences securely online. For more details, please visit Operation Snap | Devon & Cornwall Police

Nov102025

Public transport safety must become a priority

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The devastating mass train stabbings in Cambridgeshire and shocking incidents at stations in our own police force area have highlighted an urgent need to improve safety for those using public transport.

The stabbings of 10 people on board the Doncaster to London King’s Cross service while in Cambridgeshire on November 1, came just two days after a man in his 50s was subjected to a despicable act of violence while walking up the steps of Polsloe Bridge Station in Exeter.

During the same week, vile teenager Sonny Boyes was found guilty of a double sex attack which included sexually assaulting a second victim when she was walking to catch a train at Digby and Sowton railway station. The attack continued on the platform and then also on the train.

I regularly travel by train and within the past few months have personally had cause to feel unsafe while on my own on three occasions, two of which I reported immediately to British Transport Police (BTP) via its excellent text service and caused a train to stop until police arrived.

No woman, man or child should have to witness or be a victim of violence and harassment while receiving a paid for service.

It is important to remember that as shocking as all these incidents are, they are not an everyday occurrence. However, assaults on passengers have worryingly hit an all-time high. According to Rail and Road (ORR) statistics, in 2024, 10,231 instances were recorded on British mainline rail – including 4,395 cases of harassment, 3,805 cases of common assault and 1,613 cases of actual bodily harm. It is the highest number in 20 years of recorded data and an increase of 6.9 per cent year-on-year.

Former BTP Chief Constable Andy Trotter has been quoted in the national media calling for a broader review of security, the need for more BTP and a need for “more security from the rail companies themselves”.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander reportedly told the BBC the government would “review security arrangements” in the UK following the train stabbings and respond “swiftly and in a proportionate way”.

That is why I am personally writing to Lucy D’Orsi, Chief Constable of BTP, urging that we explore whether technology can help make our transport network safer, including improved CCTV and facial recognition technology.

The force has already invested in facial recognition technology, including a police van that is in development but is ready to be trialled at various locations.

In an ideal world we would have more visible police patrols at mainline stations across Devon and Cornwall. Despite policing resources already being overstretched, we have more frontline officers than ever before carrying out patrols in our towns and neighbourhoods, assisted by more new police community support officers (PCSOs).

Ensuring people return home safely has been an ongoing priority for my office. It is why we fund affordable night buses on Saturday evenings throughout Devon and Cornwall in North Devon, Torquay, Plymouth and Exeter, including through the darker winter months. We also run one in Newquay from May to September.

In Devon, 11,030 passengers have used these buses so far, and 745 in Cornwall – with not one reported incident of violence or harassment having occurred.

The ongoing focus has to be preventing more people from becoming victims of traumatic crimes, simply because they chose to travel by public transport.

Nov42025

Commissioner delighted to lend support to ‘outstanding’ partnership work in Camborne

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Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez has launched the second phase of her Street Focus project in Camborne, bringing partners together to intensify “outstanding” efforts that reduce crime and antisocial behaviour (ASB), support local businesses and invest in opportunities for young people.

At a packed launch session in Camborne, the Commissioner heard from Safer Camborne, Devon & Cornwall Police, Safer Cornwall, Camborne BID, Cornwall Council and the Mayor of Camborne about recent results and what further support would add the most value.

Street Focus Camborne is the latest iteration of the project, which aims to improve safety in town and city centres, and was first launched in Torquay in June 2024.

At the launch event, attendees heard from the Commissioner’s office about the successes of the Torquay project which include the funding of a Saturday night bus service, extra police and partner patrols targeting ASB and violence as part of the hotspot policing initiative, a Crimestoppers zone, dedicated ASB lawyers for the town, the funding of business crime reduction partnership UKPAC, and much more.

The event was also an opportunity for local leaders to share some of the great work already underway in Camborne to improve safety.

A dedicated ASB officer, Kay Smith, is providing highly visible presence in the town, using a full ASB toolkit including Community Protection Warnings and Notices. Being an accessible point of contact for ASB concerns, and hosting face-to-face drop-in sessions, Kay is widely welcomed by residents and businesses in the town.

Additional police and street marshal patrols are being carried out in Camborne for a second year, with the town nominated as a tier one area for the hotspot policing project, funded by £1m secured from the Home Office by the Commissioner’s office.

Since July, 142 patrols have been delivered, equating to 103 hours on the street. Officers and marshals have engaged with 1,888 members of the public, visited 286 premises, and attended 97 incidents of ASB.

The patrols, which target ASB and violence in town and city centres, have resulted in fewer incidents compared with the previous year.

Devon & Cornwall Police have also obtained several premises closure orders, criminal behaviour orders and warrants to combat ASB and other issues in Camborne over the past 12 months.

Multi-agency partnership Safer Camborne has been delivering problem solving across Camborne and Redruth, including drug exploitation meetings which have delivered safeguarding outcomes, warrants and arrests. Activity has also been undertaken to secure a derelict building in the town which was causing significant safety concerns.

Improvements under the Home Office-funded Safer Streets initiative have been delivered including lighting and CCTV upgrades, bystander training for the night-time economy, youth outreach and a substance misuse worker.

Camborne’s Business Improvement District (BID) team has delivered a successful Pubwatch scheme, provides a link for 310 businesses in the town, and has produced a Manifesto for a Crime-Free Camborne. For 2026, the BID aims to gain Purple Flag accreditation, which highlights expectational work in ensuring the safety of the evening and night-time economy.

The BID also procured the DISC business crime reporting app in 2024, which is widely used in the town and helps to identify and bring to justice multiple prolific offenders.

A survey undertaken by Cornwall Youth Council highlighted Camborne and Redruth as the only areas they had concerns about crime and safety in Cornwall. However, work is underway to make improvements for young people.

Head of campus for Cornwall College Camborne Rory Mason spoke of challenges facing the school and its students, including rising exclusions and more students with complex needs. He said he was proud of the work done by the school through engagement, clear behaviour policies and working closely with the police and local partners.

Camborne Town Mayor James Ball, who runs a youth club in the town, said that working with young people had shown first-hand how much difference support and encouragement can make. He said that some who came to the club struggling are attending school more regularly and staying out of trouble.

Cornwall Council has also had a strong focus on antisocial behaviour and youth work over the past two years, with drop-in sessions for young people and a youth hub partnership working with Healthy Cornwall.

Recognising the great results already achieved by multiple organisations working together to improve safety in the town, Commissioner Hernandez said she was delighted to be able to offer the support of her office in building on these successes.

She said: “Camborne’s partnership is outstanding – the teamwork focus and results already achieved are clear to see. Strong relationships have been built, antisocial behaviour has been reduced, and real visibility and confidence in the community is evident.

“I’m delighted to lend my support through the Street Focus project so we can build on that success together, sustain what works, and help us go even further.”

Commissioner Hernandez said she was keen to help bolster support for young people, and her office would be working to put together a plan to build momentum and help to build a safer Camborne for everyone.

Mayor Ball added: “All the organisations working together across the town, communicating and putting the community first, shows just how much can be achieved in making the whole town safer for all.

“I am looking forward to seeing how much further we can go with the launch of Street Focus and our continued work with the Police and Crime Commissioner.”

Sector Inspector for Camborne Lou Brown echoed Mayor Ball’s comments, saying working together was what made the approach in Camborne so effective.

She said: “We are really looking forward to the Police and Crime Commissioner’s upcoming focus on the Camborne sector.

“It takes all of us – the police, local councils, voluntary groups, partner agencies and our community working together to make a real difference.

“Strengthening those partnerships will help us tackle local priorities and continue building a safer, more connected area to live and work.”

To find out more about the Street Focus project and for updates about future work in Camborne, visit street-focus.co.uk

You can also have your say about safety in Camborne by filling out a short survey that will help inform the work of the project.

Nov32025

Scrutiny is key to tackling police performance inadequacies

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As I approach my second decade as Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), one of the things that I am always delighted to see is how hard officers and staff work to do their best by their communities, and it is always reassuring to see the commitment that goes into keeping people in Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly safe every single day.

Of course, sometimes things can go wrong and people can feel let down. When this happens, it’s important that good processes are in place so people can speak to the police about what has gone wrong and where appropriate, measures can be put in place to make things better.

One of my roles as PCC is to hold the Chief Constable to account for the service the police provide across Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly and, over the past year, I have publicly expressed my disappointment about how the police were dealing with complaints from the public, and I have already put in place measures to address these concerns.

As such, although disappointed, I am not surprised by the findings within the report published last week by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS), following an inspection they made of the force in February this year, where they assessed the effectiveness of how the force manages standards of professional behaviour including how they deal with complaints. The inspection also looked at how the force tackles potential corruption, and how it vets police officers and staff. The inspectorate’s conclusions – that improvements are required in all three areas – correspond with my own.

The measures that I have already put in place include my authorisation of an extra £500,000 investment in how the police deal with complaints made by the public, and by putting in place stronger scrutiny and oversight processes. Of course, it’s not just about money, it’s about strong leadership too and through my additional investment, a new position of Head of Public Service was created earlier this year, to lead a better service to members of the public who have felt the need to complain to the police.

This enhanced scrutiny has included me taking a ‘deep-dive’ into the performance of the Professional Standards Department through my new Accountability Board, and the creation of a new Police Conduct Oversight Board, which provides me with oversight of police misconduct cases and public complaints.

These measures have already seen changes for the better. When HMICFRS made their inspection in February, there was a backlog of 1,600 complaints in the police’s system, with lengthy waits causing understandable further frustration for those seeking a resolution. Today, the number of people waiting has been reduced by 70 per cent, with complainants being acknowledged within two weeks and investigations being undertaken more quickly. I am grateful to all those who have helped make this happen and who continue to drive improvements.

My Police Conduct Oversight Board has also given me far better clarity in my oversight of how the police tackle corruption and deal with misconduct, and more recently I have been assured that the force now more quickly and robustly deals with such important matters.

It is important to reflect that HMICFRS also reported good areas of practice and, among these, it commended how the force proactively looks for corruption-related intelligence and has an established process for sharing some relevant adverse information between departments.

Going forward, I have every confidence that under the strong leadership of Chief Constable James Vaughan, much-needed improvements will continue to be made. Since his appointment in December 2024, the force has been recognised for making positive changes in many areas, most notably being removed from an enhanced level of monitoring known as ‘engage’, or, as many people say ‘special measures’, by HMICFRS in July.

Mr Vaughan has agreed to extend his contract to January 2027 which is welcome news because I have complete confidence that he will continue building on recent improvements and implement what needs to be done to satisfy the recent concerns raised by HMICFRS. The inspectorate will continue to monitor the force’s progress and I will also personally ensure this via weekly updates with Mr Vaughan, as well as through my scrutiny boards.

In summary, although I share His Majesty’s Inspector’s disappointment at what the inspectorate found in February, I am, at this time, assured by what the police are doing to improve matters. Should you ever find yourself dissatisfied by the service that you have received from the police, I am confident that you will receive a better service than what was described in last week’s report.

That said, as your PCC, I will always provide a voice for the people I serve by continuing to hold the police to account, and by continuing to demand improvements whenever and wherever required.

Oct272025

Preventing reoffending is key for all our safety

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The vital role the charity sector plays within the criminal justice system in supporting victims, rehabilitating offenders and preventing crimes from happening in the first instance should never be underestimated.

I was delighted to be recently invited by one such charity – Community Advice and Support Services (CASS+) – to visit its Bodmin office in Cornwall within The Law Courts as my office is one of its funders.

For those who may not be familiar with the successful work its staff and dedicated volunteers do, CASS+ provides free, confidential, practical help and emotional support for people going through the courts in Exeter, Newton Abbot, Plymouth, Bodmin or Truro.

This month it celebrated its 20th anniversary with a special gathering of employees, volunteers, supporters and past clients in Cornwall which is where the first hub opened in Bodmin in 2005.

CASS+ staff, clients and volunteers at the 20th anniversary celebrations (credit: Ruby Crook)

The need for its support is apparent more than ever because it is important to remember that anyone, from any walk of life, can end up in court for a variety of reasons, not excuses but reasons. Issues such as untreated mental health, financial struggles, previous or recent trauma from being a victim of crime, addiction, homelessness, unemployment or isolation can all be key contributors behind someone committing a crime.

With prisons full and the reoffending system rate still high upon release, more needs to be done to get satisfactory justice for victims and better deal with people to stop committing crime.

Just one example shared with my team was of a man who was prosecuted for drink-driving. He confided to a CASS+ volunteer that three weeks before the offence, his father had died in his arms, and thanks to the charity he was able to get much needed bereavement care and support rather than his problems potentially escalating. So justice was served, but efforts to stop him doing it again were put in place.

We all rightly get upset or angry at people who commit crime, especially where a victim has suffered, but we need people who will work calmy with perpetrators and do their upmost to stop them returning to court. CASS+ is leading the way by stepping in and doing that on our behalf.

Its volunteers guide people through how they can make positive changes not just for themselves but also their loved ones and friends. The ripple effect is far reaching by making our communities safer and reducing the frustration of police officers rearresting the same person again for a similar offence.

Over the past 20 years, CASS+ has had the support of around 446 volunteers to help make this happen. Some of the volunteers started out as clients having been helped by the charity themselves.

Kelly, who is a volunteer in Plymouth, is a recovering addict who was once in and out of the criminal justice system due to her substance misuse.

CASS+ volunteer Kelly

At her lowest, she ended up living on the streets, could not see her children and had a criminal record. Help came along at a time when she described herself as having been “really upset and chaotic” – but in the right place to be helped.

Now back on her feet and doing well, Kelly is a proud volunteer and role model for CASS+ because she wants to help others knowing only too well how it feels to be in their shoes.

She described the opportunity as being “like a miracle” and said: “They did not look at my criminal record but at the person they saw in front of them today and gave me a chance, and a new lease of life.”

CASS+ volunteers assists people going through court by providing anything from reassurance in the courts to helping them with problems such as debt, housing and addictions through signposting to the right services.

I will continue to champion the work of CASS+ and all the other life-changing charities and organisations that we are so very lucky to have in Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly and remain committed to getting results that keep us safer.

For more information about CASS+, please visit https://www.cassplus.org

Oct222025

Inspiring Combating Violence Against Women and Girls award finalists revealed

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The innovative and challenging work taking place to make Devon, Cornwall and beyond a safer place for women and girls has been highlighted in this year’s West Country Women’s Awards.

For the fourth year, Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez has sponsored the Combating Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) award – one of 20 categories which celebrate the remarkable achievements and contributions of exceptional women across the region.

The finalists were announced during a recent afternoon tea at Powderham Castle, near Exeter, with special guests. This year saw the largest number ever of inspirational women nominated for the Combating VAWG award, each one having an incredible story of how their invaluable contributions are making such a positive difference to people’s lives.

The four finalists will join other nominees for a Grand Final Gala Dinner at Crowne Plaza Plymouth on November 28, where the winners will be announced.

Awards director Alexis Bowater OBE said: “We’ve heard thousands of stories of courage, innovation and compassion from women across the West Country, and every single one deserves recognition. Our finalists are extraordinary: each one making waves in her own field, and together they show just how strong, creative and innovative our region is.”

Commissioner Hernandez added: “Congratulations to the inspiring finalists not just in our category but across all the categories. It was extremely difficult choosing our four finalists because the calibre of nominees was so high this year.

“It is reassuring to hear how many incredible women are going above and beyond to tackle VAWG which is one of my key priorities. No woman should have to live their lives in fear of becoming a victim. I look forward to presenting the Combating Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) at the finale next month.”

The four Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner finalists are:

Sue Penna

For nearly 30 years, Sue has worked in the VAWG sector. Inspired to help others after being the victim of an abusive partner, she worked in mainstream psychiatry with individuals who had experienced psychological trauma. Disheartened after witnessing how women who were “pathologised” and, in many cases, “blamed” for the trauma they had experienced, she left the NHS.

In 2016, she created Rock Pool which delivers a range of trauma informed training and consultation work, building on the foundations started by Sue Penna Associates in 2005. Based in Brixham, Rock Pool now delivers training across the UK with the aim of supporting and empowering individuals to lead independent lives.

In the past three years, Rock Pool has delivered 244 recovery toolkit courses, attended by 3,325 practitioners, and 344 trauma informed training events to 4,255 participants. Course attendees have come from 1,833 organisations.

Sue’s VAWG achievements also include being one of the first people to challenge medical diagnoses, such as borderline personality disorder, that medicalised and labelled women who were showing trauma responses; creating the Domestic Abuse Recovery Toolkit, the first trauma informed program addressing coercion and control. In 2024 she formed a women’s theatre collective, raising money and awareness of VAWG through productions of the Vagina Monologues.

Sue, a trustee of West Cornwall Women’s Aid, said: “I’m still fighting because there has just not been enough change in 30 years, and the same number of women and children are being murdered every year.
“I think I may have been nominated for the award due to my persistence and the recognition that I have spent over half my life championing women’s rights to be free from domestic abuse, free from the stigma that follows them once they escape, free from the shame they can be made to feel and free to have the lives they deserve.
This has been my life’s work so far and I imagine it will continue to be.”

Rebecca Hewitt (Credit: Aisling Magill)

For the past 28 years, Rebecca has worked for Teignbridge District Council. Her vital role is centred on working with the police and other partners to make the community safer and creating positive changes in peoples’ lives.

Within the field of VAWG, Rebecca has achieved many great things. She helped secure more than £300,000 of funding to deliver projects through voluntary sector partners Space and Young Devon to keep young people safe in the heart of communities and challenge the culture of misogyny.

It resulted in more than 225 young people giving their views on how to make their communities safer and has seen the development of a project that will be piloted in the last year of primary school to boys in three schools.

Rebecca led the Let’s Talk programme – designed to empower parents and carers by raising awareness of the community safety risks and challenges faced by young people while providing simple tips to support them. Almost 9,000 engagements with the project.

A pilot project utilising Community Protection Warnings across the CSP area was also led by Rebecca to disrupt negative impacts on the quality of life of local residents. More than 500 have been issued across the CSP for a wide variety of reasons, including stalking behaviour to up skirting, with a compliance rate of more than 90 per cent.

Rebecca said: “I have led work on tackling gangs and the impact of the young women within these, informing parents about safeguarding risks and addressing behaviours of our young people to create a long-term cultural change.
“My passion is that we need to bring together the whole community to work at the earliest possible opportunity to create lasting change and stop women and girls being harmed.”

Lucy Rhodes

Committed to addressing the root causes of gender-based violence through early, evidence-informed intervention in schools, Lucy has developed and delivered a specialist intervention programme called Is This Okay? over the past three years. It aims to directly address harmful sexual behaviour among young people and help them access appropriate support.

The six-week programme has already reached more than 297 young people aged 13 to 19-years-old across secondary schools in Devon. She has secured funding and is currently delivering the programme in 19 more secondary schools across Devon, with the potential to reach up to 380 additional young people.

In partnership with young women in Teignbridge, Lucy facilitated the collection of powerful lived experiences about the harassment, assault, and everyday behaviours – such as catcalling and being followed – that make them feel unsafe.

This evidence was presented to Teignbridge Council, resulting in tangible improvements to public spaces, including redesigns of public toilets, to make them safer and more welcoming. She then brought the stories directly to local pubs, clubs, and their door staff to create safer, more respectful environments for young women across both public and private spaces.
Space Youth Services is a not-for-profit organisation committed to empowering young people across Devon to realise their full potential.

Lucy, who has more than 15 years of experience working with young people, said: “I am committed to addressing the root causes of gender-based violence through early, evidence-informed intervention.

“I’ve seen first-hand how young people can grow when they are given the right tools and guidance and how important it is to intervene before patterns become entrenched. It is important to shine a light on the importance of early, education-based approaches in the fight against violence towards women and girls.”

Mel Sevieri (credit: Aisling Magill)

A VAWG survivor, Mel decided to focus her life’s work on combatting it six years ago. She spends her free time researching VAWG, particularly the areas that need the most work within the city, delivering voluntary talks to more than 2,000 young people across the South West on topics of sexism and abuse, and is completing a Master’s degree in Social Policy (VAWG) – all while living with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME).

Alongside working for Trevi, the South West’s leading women’s charity, and now the Plymouth Domestic Abuse Service, Mel’s efforts in combatting VAWG have been heavily voluntarily, including her Plymouth VAWG Gala, where she raised £10,000 for First Light and Trevi, a multitude of women’s rights protests in Plymouth in recent years reaching hundreds of survivors, and most notably her revival of Plymouth’s Reclaim the Night march in 2024 after a seven-year hiatus. This year, the number of participants doubled to more than 500 marchers.

She is also renowned for public speaking on VAWG and advocating for women’s rights across multiple demographics.

Mel said: “Living with a debilitating disability was never going to be easy, but it drives me to accomplish far more than I likely would have without it because I’m acutely aware of how precious my time is to dedicate to this cause. This issue will only end if we all fight it together”.

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