POLICE stations in Newquay and Truro have extra resources at their disposal to combat anti-social behaviour after being selected to receive a share of a £1-million grant.

They are two of six locations across Devon and Cornwall that are benefitting from 25 officers being posted into their neighbourhood support teams.

These teams have started working with the established neighbourhood teams to provide additional focus tackling issues raised by communities.

The additional patrols began on Wednesday, May 1, and will run until April 2025.

The crime initiative follows Devon & Cornwall Police being awarded the grant from the Home Office to deliver hotspot policing to public areas experiencing anti-social behaviour and serious violence.

The government launched its Anti-social Behaviour Action Plan in 2023 following evidence that showed taking a ‘hotspot’ approach, where uniformed police spend time at problem areas on a regular basis, reduces levels of crime.

The force identified an initial six locations where issues have been reported using crime data from the last few years so that patrols can be targeted precisely, which includes Barnstaple, Exeter, Plymouth and Torquay as well as Newquay and Truro.

Assistant chief constable Glen Mayhew, the force’s lead for local policing, said: “We launched Op Loki last year with the intention of bringing targeted, highly visible neighbourhood policing to the force’s Safer Streets funded areas.

“Since then, our local policing teams have continued to use Op Loki to tackle local issues and forge stronger relationships with their communities.

“This funding gives us the opportunity to reiterate our commitment to neighbourhood policing and expand our impact into new areas.

“With the funds, we will work closely with partners to implement a range of activities, including street wardens to tackle antisocial behaviour.

“I always encourage people to report antisocial behaviour, so we can ensure our attention is focussed on what is impacting the lives of our communities.”

Alison Hernandez, Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, said: “The public have told me that anti-social behaviour and serious violence are a top concern to them which is why I have made them a priority in my Police and Crime Plan.

“Everyone has the right to feel safe in the place where they live and work, and these issues blight communities and have a serious and long-lasting impact on people affected by them.

“This funding is a much-needed investment in ensuring communities most affected by antisocial behaviour and serious violence see police officers and street wardens getting to grips with persistent problems in their area and helping residents to feel safe and secure.”

A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police added: “With the force investment into neighbourhood policing and the additional funding, residents and visitors in these areas will feel greater police presence.”