Working together

EXETER’S police team spent much of last month delivering a city centre response to public concerns about antisocial behaviour, drug and alcohol use and violence.

An increased presence helped to supplement the work of Safer Exeter which has spent two years responding to community concerns through the Government funded Safer Streets Project.

Sidwell Street, High Street, Fore Street, South Street and Gandy Street saw more officers deployed to tackle key issues being experienced in the city.

The plan was to increase visibility and engagement levels with residents, students, visitors and local businesses and are working with partners to improve the city for everyone. In the first week of the operation, officers made 25 arrests for offences of public concern.

Peter Scargill, chair of Safer Exeter, said: “In the last two years Safer Streets funding has improved CCTV and street lighting, asked women how safe they feel in Exeter and, as a result published a charter which addresses those concerns. We now have nearly 170 businesses committed to that charter.

“We have successfully opened and are running a Safe Space to help people when they are vulnerable on a night out. We have provided bystander intervention training to hundreds of people who now have skills to help someone being harassed.

“We are working with students encouraging them to be better neighbours and have supported dozens of projects aimed at making the city a better place to live, work and play.

“We welcome the police operation in support of our work but safety must start in communities, with better understanding of right and wrong. Communities must learn to act respectfully and keep themselves safe.”

Superintendent Antony Hart, who heads up city centre policing, said: “This focussed policing activity is intended to improve the safety and confidence of members of the public, including the business community and those enjoying the night-time economy.”