St Ives Introduces Summer Street Marshals to Support Community Safety

Extra Support on the Streets During Peak Season

St Ives will trial street marshals this summer in a move to address concerns about rising anti-social behaviour and petty crime during the busy holiday period.

St Ives Town Council and St Ives BID are jointly funding the scheme, which will see security staff from Infinitus Security Ltd carry out regular daytime and evening patrols across key areas of the town.

Infinitus Security Ltd already manages and monitors the town’s CCTV system and is a trusted partner of the council. The pilot follows the model seen in other Cornish towns including Penzance, Truro and Camborne.

📷Left to Right: James Wright Infinitus Security Ltd, Councillor Tony Harris, Lead Committee Chair for Community Sarah Hooper St Ives BID Manager Councillor Johnnie Wells, Mayor of St Ives Safety, Kim Phillips Infinitus Security Ltd

Working Alongside Police and Local Services

While the marshals are not a replacement for the police, they will work closely with neighbourhood officers and other services. The patrols will be randomised and focused on identified hotspots.

Their role includes:

• Providing visible, reassuring patrols

• Offering wayfinding and public support

• Helping to de-escalate situations before they escalate

• Supporting police and emergency services

• Encouraging reporting of incidents through tools like the DISC app

• Strengthening links between businesses and public services

• Using powers under the Police Reform Act 2002 where appropriate

The aim is to help St Ives remain a safe, welcoming, and family-friendly destination.

📷St Ives Street Marshalls on Fore Street

Backed by Council, BID and Police

Introducing the pilot, St Ives BID Manager Sarah Hooper said:

“We are pleased to be working in partnership with St Ives Town Council to jointly fund this important initiative. As part of a coordinated, multi-agency approach to enhancing community safety throughout a busy summer season, this pilot scheme brings together St Ives BID, the Town Council, the neighbourhood policing team, and the new street marshal service.

The collaboration between police and marshals will strengthen intelligence sharing and enable a more effective response to local issues. Street marshals provide a vital, visible presence in the town, offering reassurance to residents, visitors, and businesses while actively helping to reduce anti-social behaviour and crime.”

Councillor Johnnie Wells, Mayor of St Ives, added:

“This is another great example of the Town Council and St Ives BID working together for the good of the town. By taking a proactive approach and appointing summer street marshals, we’re helping to keep St Ives safe, welcoming, and enjoyable for everyone.”

Police Inspector Dee Evans, from the Penzance and Isles of Scilly Sector, said:

“This new scheme is a really positive step for St Ives. The introduction of Summer Street Marshals will strengthen our partnership approach to tackling crime and anti-social behaviour, particularly during the busiest months of the year.

By working closely with the police and local services, the marshals will provide a visible, reassuring presence and support early intervention in areas of concern. This proactive model, which has already shown great results in other towns, will help reduce low level crime, improve community confidence, and ensure St Ives remains a safe and welcoming place for residents, businesses, and visitors alike.”

📷St Ives Street Marshalls on Fore Street

Public Feedback Welcomed

The council and its partners are encouraging feedback on the scheme throughout the summer to help measure its impact. That feedback will help determine whether the pilot is extended or repeated in future seasons.

📷Left to Right: James Wright Infinitus Security Ltd, Councillor Tony Harris, Lead Committee Chair for Community Sarah Hooper St Ives BID Manager Councillor Johnnie Wells, Mayor of St Ives Safety, Kim Phillips Infinitus Security Ltd