Tackling antisocial behaviour in our popular coastal resorts
As the WMN reported yesterday a pilot programme aims to reduce harbourside antisocial behaviour. Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez came up with the initiative. Here she explains the thinking behind it
DESPITE the slightly chilly feel to the air of late, summer is nearly upon us and with that comes the inevitable descent of tourists from across the UK and beyond.
Tourism is the lifeblood of the South West and those summer months see the population of Devon and Cornwall swell significantly with those who come to experience our beautiful shores, clean sea air, wonderful food and drink as well as all our fantastic local attractions.
We welcome these visitors with open arms – but an increase in population puts extra pressure on the police and can require extra provision.
Parts of Devon and Cornwall tend to see a rise in antisocial behaviour during the summer, particularly things like street drinking, rowdy behaviour and tombstoning. These issues can be caused by both locals and tourists alike.
As Police and Crime Commissioner, I am always looking out for new and innovative ways we can tackle such issues. It’s the very reason I set up the Bluelight Fund which, thanks to our council tax payers, aims to promote creative solutions to providing policing support.
As such, I’m delighted to announce that Devon and Cornwall Police has recently employed its very first Maritime PCSO, Andy Bailey.
Andy is based in Ilfracombe in North Devon which sees a huge number of visitors each summer. His position, which is hosted within the Ilfracombe Neighbourhood Policing Team, sees him work out of the Harbourmaster’s office with a specific remit to police the harbour and pier area.
As with so many of our successful schemes, this 12-month pilot project has been a collaborative one and is funded jointly through my office and that of North Devon Council, who own and operate Ilfracombe Harbour.
Antisocial behaviour can have a hugely detrimental effect on entire communities, which is precisely why I have made it one of just four priorities in my Police and Crime Plan.
PCSO Bailey’s new role will help provide a visible, uniformed presence in and around the harbour which I hope will prevent many incidents of antisocial behaviour before they even start.
Working in partnership is the only solution to solving antisocial behaviour in the long term, which is why I was so keen to work with North Devon Council and its fantastic Harbourmaster, Georgina Carlo-Paat, to pilot the Maritime PCSO post.
When I visited Ilfracombe recently and met with Georgina, as well as the town’s Neighbourhood Team Leader Sgt Dave Thubron and Toby Davies, they explained several issues which they experience during the summer months.
One of the most alarming – and a prime example of antisocial behaviour in action - is tombstoning. This is when people hurl themselves off high rocks or piers into the water below.
Across the South West people have been doing this for years and while I understand the appeal and thrill of leaping into the sea, the very serious dangers are obvious. There have been numerous occasions where people – often young people – have been seriously injured or even killed after misjudging the depth of the water or not realising there were rocks hidden just beneath the surface.
I would urge anyone considering tombstoning to think again – not only do you put yourself in danger, but you are also endangering the lives of the Lifeboat crews, Coastguard and Police Officers who may have to come to your aid. By employing a new PCSO with this specific Maritime remit, it’s my hope that incidents such as these will be nipped in the bud before they get too serious.
This role is just one of many we are developing through the Bluelight Fund to help shape the future of collaborative emergency service provision all over Devon and Cornwall.
We are already expanding our TriService Safety Officers in Cornwall and our Firefighter Specials in South
Devon, so this latest innovation in
North Devon feels like an obvious progression.
Our ultimate aim is for those both visiting and living in the South West to be able to enjoy this wonderful corner of the world safely.
If you see PCSO Andy Bailey out and about, please do go over and say hello – he is there to help.
You can also report any issues of antisocial behaviour to him, or anonymously through CrimeStoppers UK by calling 0800 555111 or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.