Fears over violence, theft and antisocial behaviour in Ilfracombe have prompted fresh promises of action from Devon and Cornwall’s Police and Crime Commissioner.
In a letter to Ilfracombe Town Council, Alison Hernandez said she shared concerns raised by councillors and residents about public safety issues in the town and pledged to raise the matter with Devon and Cornwall Police’s Chief Constable.
The letter, dated Friday, May 15, was sent in response to concerns previously raised by the council. Hernandez said everyone should be able to “go about their lives without the threat of violence and theft”.
She said her office had already liaised with the local police inspector and would stress the importance of communication between neighbourhood policing teams and street marshals operating in the town.
Hernandez also praised initiatives already being run by the town council, including the One Ilfracombe Town Team meetings, campaigns encouraging residents to report crime, and the One Ilfracombe youth club.
The Police and Crime Commissioner said funding for Ilfracombe’s street marshal scheme had recently been extended, with marshals currently operating two days a week. She added that discussions were taking place about potentially expanding the service further.
Her letter also highlighted efforts to tackle shoplifting through UK Partners Against Crime, known as UKPAC. Hernandez said seven businesses in Ilfracombe had signed up to the reporting system following an information event held on Tuesday, January 20, attended by around 20 businesses.
She said: “This initiative is a game changer. It dramatically reduces the time it takes for businesses to report shoplifting and it saves police time too.”
The Commissioner also backed proposals to increase CCTV coverage in the town, although she said no application had been received from Ilfracombe during a previous £125,000 funding round for new cameras across Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
Other measures outlined in the letter included investment in youth services for vulnerable young people, antisocial behaviour outreach programmes and online parenting support through the “Let’s Talk” initiative.
Hernandez also encouraged more Ilfracombe councillors to join the Councillor Advocate Scheme, which aims to improve communication between councillors, police and the Police and Crime Commissioner’s office.
In the letter’s closing remarks, Hernandez thanked the town council for encouraging residents to report crime and highlighted the reopening of Ilfracombe’s Police Enquiry Office in February 2024 using funding from her office.
She said: “Reporting crime is vitally important because this information is used by the police to assist with decisions about where officers and staff are based.”
