Camborne, Truro and Looe feature in police anti-social behaviour push

A notice taped to a front door in Truro. Another in Camborne. Officers on foot through the narrow streets of Looe.

They are three of the examples Devon & Cornwall Police has pointed to as it sets out how it is dealing with anti-social behaviour, and the force says reported incidents are falling.

A 10.2% drop in incidents

In the 12 months to May, the force recorded a 10.2% reduction in anti-social behaviour incidents across Devon and Cornwall.

It puts that down to neighbourhood policing teams, described as having the best understanding of their communities, working with Community Safety Partnerships, housing authorities and other agencies.

The force has also published a force-wide Anti-Social Behaviour Action Plan, a key commitment within the Government’s Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee. The plan is led by dedicated ASB Lead Superintendent Emma Butler-Jones and was developed alongside communities and partner agencies, including the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and local authorities.

📷An officer puts up a closure order notice in Camborne. Credit: Devon & Cornwall Police

What has been happening in Cornwall

The force has shared examples from the last four months of neighbourhood teams and partnerships tackling anti-social behaviour. Four of them are in Cornwall:

• A closure order in Truro
• A closure order in Camborne
• A patrol in Looe
• A dispersal order in Looe over the summer

Across the Tamar, the list includes a waterfront police team patrol and seized motorcycles in Plymouth, a Public Spaces Protection Order in Crediton and a closure order in Torquay.

📷Officers on patrol in Looe. Credit: Devon & Cornwall Police

What the action plan focuses on

Emma said: “The action plan focuses on the issues that matter most to local people, ensuring activity is targeted where it can have the greatest impact. This includes a renewed focus on problem-solving, hotspot patrols, partnership working and robust action against persistent offenders.

“For neighbourhood teams, this represents an opportunity to build on the excellent work already taking place across Devon and Cornwall by continuing to listen to communities, tackle local concerns and work collaboratively to reduce harm. Through visible policing, proactive engagement, and effective problem-solving, we will continue to make our neighbourhoods safer places to live, work and visit.”

The Guarantee, announced by the Government in 2025, recognises the impact anti-social behaviour can have on victims, communities and public confidence. Following the announcement, all 43 police forces in England and Wales appointed dedicated ASB leads to publish formal action plans.

How to report anti-social behaviour

Reports from the public are a big part of it, according to the force.

Emma said: “One of the key elements in tackling anti-social behaviour are the reports and intelligence we receive from the public. If something is concerning you in your community, let us know. There is a dedicated online form for reporting anti-social behaviour on the front page of our website, just click the Report button, or call 101.”

📷A dispersal order area map supplied by Devon & Cornwall Police.

📷Devon & Cornwall Police officers. Credit: Devon & Cornwall Police

📷The Plymouth Waterfront police team. Credit: Devon & Cornwall Police

📷Community Safety Accreditation Scheme activity with Torbay Council and SWISCo. Credit: Devon & Cornwall Police

📷Neighbourhood Team Leader for South Molton, Sgt Robert Brown. Credit: Devon & Cornwall Police

📷Anti-socially ridden motorcycles seized in Plymouth (Op Hyssop). Credit: Devon & Cornwall Police

📷Public Spaces Protection Order in Crediton. Credit: Devon & Cornwall Police

📷A closure order notice in Torquay. Credit: Devon & Cornwall Police

📷Tackling anti-social riding in Plymouth, with the fire service. Credit: Devon & Cornwall Police

📷An officer puts up a closure order notice in Truro. Credit: Devon & Cornwall Police