We often hear bad news, but I want to share some real positives from your local neighbourhood policing teams right here in Devonport, St Budeaux, Keyham and Barne Barton.
This article is part of a sponsored series in collaboration with Devon and Cornwall Police, published by the Plymouth Chronicle.
Our officers are out there every day, working hard to make your communities safer – and it’s making a real difference.
Just recently, we arrested a prolific shoplifter in Devonport who had been causing significant harm to local businesses and the wider community. Thanks to the dedication of the team, that individual has now been sentenced to 30 weeks in prison. It’s a great result that shows we are listening to your concerns and taking action.
In another positive step, we have successfully secured the full closure of an address in Devonport that had become a hub for anti-social behaviour and drug use. Residents told us how much this was affecting their quality of life.
Through joint work with partners, we’ve now closed that address, and the feedback from the community has been overwhelmingly supportive. People are already feeling safer in their own homes and streets.
We’ve also been working closely with the Neighbourhood Support Team (NST), who carried out a six-week deployment in Devonport, Keyham and surrounding areas earlier this year. This specialist team delivered over 800 hours of high-visibility patrols, made 12 arrests, and carried out 28 stop-searches targeting drug-related crime and anti-social behaviour.
Their work sent a clear message that crime and disorder will not be tolerated in our neighbourhoods, and their presence made a real difference in helping people feel safer.
Our efforts are having a wider impact too. Over the past 12 months, we’ve seen domestic burglaries drop by 20% and robberies fall by 18% across the west of Plymouth.
We understand how devastating these crimes can be, and we are striving to ensure that every victim of a domestic burglary receives a personal visit from one of our neighbourhood officers – not only to support any investigation, but also offer reassurance, practical advice and help during what can be an extremely distressing time.
Neighbourhood policing is about more than arrests. It’s about being visible, being accessible, and being there when you need us. That’s why we continue to run regular community surgeries where you can come and speak directly to your local officers. These are advertised on our Devonport and West neighbourhood policing page via the Force website or follow us on Facebook, we are Devonport and West Plymouth Police.
I also encourage everyone to sign up to Devon and Cornwall Alert, our free messaging service that keeps you informed about what’s happening in your area, from crime updates to community events. It’s a great way to stay connected with your local team and get timely, trusted information straight to you via phone or email. Your Neighbourhood Policing Team is here for you. Together, we can continue to make Devonport and West Plymouth a safer place to live and work.
Sign up for DC Alerts at community-messaging.dc.police.uk
ENQUIRY OFFICE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
The Police Enquiry Office at Devonport Police Station in Chapel Street is now open to the public from 10am to 3pm Monday to Saturday. It is closed on Bank Holidays and Sundays. Police station front desks allow members of the public to have access to walk-in services where they can speak to trained staff who can help with crime reporting, crime prevention advice and help with accessing victim services. To make sure there is enough time to deal with an enquiry, members of the public are advised to try to arrive at least an hour before closing.
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