DEVON’S crime commissioner says ‘significant efforts’ are being made to tackle antisocial behaviour after reports of rising issues in towns across the county.

Several town councils have written to Commissioner Alison Hernandez to raise concerns over persistent antisocial behaviour.

In a report to the Devon & Cornwall Police and Crime Panel being held in Plymouth on Friday, July 17, the Commissioner has highlighted work being carried out across the peninsula to tackle antisocial behaviour (ASB), including the use of legal powers designed to prevent persistent nuisance and disorder.

Supported by a dedicated ASB legal advisor funded by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, over the past year targeted interventions have included more than 30 closure orders, youth civil injunctions, prosecutions for injunction breaches and more than 40 Community Protection Warnings (CPWs) and Notices (CPNs).

The Commissioner welcomed the use of CPWs and CPNs to tackle persistent antisocial behaviour and protect communities across Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, saying: ‘The use of these powers send a clear message that communities should not have to tolerate persistent antisocial behaviour.

‘I am pleased to report that levels of police reported ASB have reduced in our communities, and I encourage anyone affected by these issues to report it every time to ensure resources are allocated where they are needed most’.

In the 12 months to May 2026, there was a 10.2 per cent reduction in ASB incidents reported to Devon and Cornwall Police, falling from 26,695 incidents to 23,969.

According to the Crime Survey for England and Wales, more than half (52.1 per cent) of respondents in Devon and Cornwall agree the police and local council are dealing with the ASB and crime issues that matter.

This is 4.2 per cent higher than the national average at 47.9 per cent (12 months to December 2025).

In the same survey, 19.1 per cent of people in Devon and Cornwall believe ASB is a ‘very/fairly big’ problem in their area, compared to 25.2 per cent in England and Wales.

In the latest Police Effectiveness, Efficiency and Legitimacy (PEEL) report issued by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services in June, the force was praised for ‘the way the police have worked with partners to tackle antisocial behaviour’.

Over the past two years significant investment has been made to tackle antisocial behaviour in town and city centres through targeted hotspot policing patrols, Street Focus initiatives and community safety partnerships.

Through hotspot policing alone, more than 42,000 hours of foot patrols have been delivered by police officers and street marshals across 15 identified locations in Devon and Cornwall, including Newton Abbot.

The initiative was supported by £2 million of Home Office funding in 2024-25 and 2025-26, with a further £300,000 investment from the Commissioner’s office.

From April this year, hotspot policing funding from the Home Office stopped, but this work has been moved into business-as-usual policing for Devon & Cornwall Police, with the Commissioner’s office providing £150,000 funding to fund street marshal patrols until September 2026.

Commissioner Hernandez said: ‘Antisocial behaviour can make people feel unsafe in their own communities, prevent them from enjoying public spaces and have a damaging effect on town centres, neighbourhoods and rural areas.

‘While Devon and Cornwall remains one of the safest places in the country, I know from speaking to councils, businesses and residents that antisocial behaviour continues to be one of the issues people are most concerned about.

‘Every incident affects real people. Whether it is persistent street disorder, nuisance neighbours, intimidating behaviour, dangerous driving or rural antisocial behaviour, the impact on victims can be significant.

‘My priority is to ensure communities feel safer, supported and listened to, and that every available tool is used to create safer, stronger and more confident communities across Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly’.