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Commissioner's newsletter

May 2019

Well, hasn't it felt more like summer over the past couple of weeks. The team and I are gearing up for a busy events season which kicked off with Exeter Pride at the beginning of the month.

The may bank holidays are always a busy time for us down in Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly as we start to see our population swell. This year was certainly no exception.

Some of you may have seen the Chief Constable and I launched a joint campaign for extra funding to help cope with the estimated 11 million visitors we have every year.

We have been to London to visit our MPs to raise the profile of our campaign in Westminster. We had some very positive conversations about summer policing, rural policing and how they can help.

This month has also seen the renationalisation of probation services which is fantastic news and something I have been campaigning for with other PCCs.

Read more about these subjects and other news from my office below.

Alison Hernandez

Fair deal for police: MPs get behind calls for more cash for Devon and Cornwall Police

Devon and Cornwall’s Chief Constable and Police and Crime Commissioner have met MPs to highlight the challenges faced by Devon and Cornwall Police.

Alison Hernandez and Shaun Sawyer are campaigning to secure extra funding to deal with the significant numbers of visitors to the force area over the summer months.

The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner is applying for a Special Grant to help cope with millions of people who visit the region each year. Analysis shows that 12% of all overnight stays in England and Wales occur in Devon and Cornwall – the only place that gets more is London.

Tuesday’s (May 21) meeting with MPs is just part of their plan to raise the profile of fair funding at Westminster.

The Chief Constable and PCC pointed out that the force is only paid to manage its resident population and receives no help to police its visitors.

Even discounting the summer population spike the force receives well below average funding, a situation Mr Sawyer describes as unfair to residents of the two counties.

The meeting united politicians of all colours to understand the issues affecting the people they represent and how they can help fly the flag for Devon and Cornwall Police in Westminster.

More information is available on our website.

Latest News

Devon and Cornwall PCC welcomes Government take-over of probation services

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon and Cornwall has welcomed a Government decision to place parts of the probation service back in the public sector after the collapse of a company that supervised low level offenders in the region.

Alison welcomed the decision and paid tribute to those who had worked in probation during a challenging period.

“Effective probation services reduce reoffending by helping those who have broken the law get their lives back on track,” she said.

“It is clear that in Devon and Cornwall the parts of probation that were spun out of the nationalised service were not functioning effectively. Staff caseloads in the community rehabilitation company were far too high. Staff felt that they were unable to do their job under the Working Links regime.

“I have been working with other PCCs to lobby for this change and am therefore very pleased that the Government has listened to us. This is a good result for hard-working probation staff, the people they manage and vitally for the safety of our communities.”

Find out more >

Devon and Cornwall’s Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office wins prestigious national award for custody visiting

The OPCC for Devon and Cornwall has won a prestigious national award for the quality of its independent custody visiting scheme.

The scheme in Devon and Cornwall has received code compliant status meaning it has achieved a good status of recruitment and training, managing its volunteers, transparency and looking after detainee welfare.

Welcoming the award, Police and Crime Commissioner, Alison Hernandez said: “This is fantastic news, our ICVs do a fantastic job and deserve to be recognised.

“They are my eyes and ears in custody making sure those who enter police care are treated fairly and respectfully.”

Read more >

Two wheels, two legs, four wheels or four legs: police urge respect between all road users

Originally intended to promote cycle safety, police in Devon have extended Operation Close Pass to educate drivers about how to safely pass equestrians.

On the first trial run of Operation Close Pass – Horse Safe, two drivers were pulled over and given education.

Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez said: "This is a fantastic initiative to promote safety and respect between all road users. Education is key and any prevention of death or serious injury to both people and animals is great news.

Read more >

See more news from the OPCC

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