Crime prevention work ranging from tackling domestic abuse to combating anti-social behaviour is continuing across South Devon and Dartmoor as local authorities and emergency services work together to keep communities safe.
A report presented to South Hams councillors outlines the work of the South Devon and Dartmoor Community Safety Partnership (CSP), which brings together councils, police, fire services, health partners and probation teams to address crime and disorder across the region.
The partnership operates across South Hams, Teignbridge and West Devon with the aim of reducing crime while helping residents feel safer in their communities. It was established under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, which requires key public bodies to collaborate on strategies to tackle local crime and anti-social behaviour.
Claire Birch, South Hams community safety officer, prepared the report for the council’s overview and scrutiny committee. Members were asked to note the partnership’s work and support the annual process used to set its priorities.
Each year the partnership reviews local intelligence and national guidance to identify its main areas of focus. The priorities for 2025-26 include domestic violence and abuse, harmful sexual behaviour among young people, drug misuse, hate crime, exploitation, extremism prevention, anti-social behaviour, suicide prevention and acquisitive crime.
Police officers also contribute local insight during priority-setting meetings to ensure issues affecting specific neighbourhoods are reflected in the plan.
The report highlights several projects delivered during the past year. One pilot scheme aims to increase the use of Community Protection Warnings as a tool to tackle anti-social behaviour and wider community safety concerns.
A total of 83 warnings have been issued in South Hams so far, with an 84 per cent compliance rate.
The partnership has also delivered a series of short awareness sessions for professionals covering issues such as fraud, rogue traders, modern slavery, violence against women and girls, stalking and preventing radicalisation.
More than 1,745 people have attended the live sessions, while recordings published online have received 922 views.
Another initiative, called the Let’s Talk programme, has been designed to support parents and carers by raising awareness of risks facing young people and offering practical advice on how to help them.
The project includes sessions tailored to different groups, including parents of teenagers, pre-teens, primary school children and young people with special educational needs or who are neurodivergent.
More than 9,000 engagements with parents and carers have been recorded so far. A dedicated Let’s Talk website is expected to launch at the end of April.
The partnership also hosts an annual forum to share best practice and highlight community safety initiatives. The most recent event, held online in March 2025, attracted more than one hundred attendees.
South Hams District Council contributes £16,679 towards staff costs for the partnership during the 2025-26 financial year.
The CSP will continue reviewing its work plan and priorities throughout the year, with progress reported annually to councillors.
