ASB Driving

We have suppressed this errant behaviour but recognise that it is an ongoing issue. Over the summer, we deployed specialist teams to patrol our roads, to combat this intolerable behaviour. We continue to work with the specialist teams, develop our intelligence about recidivists and develop technical resolutions to the issue of ASB driving. I emphatically encourage the public to use the Op Snap opportunity, which allows them to submit digital footage of such driving, via the Devon and Cornwall Constabulary website, to Op Snap officers who will strive to prosecute, based on the footage.

Organised Drug Dealing.

My Neighbourhood team have dedicated themselves to this criminal activity.

Over the last 24 months the Exmouth neighbourhood team have adopted a proactive approach to tackling local drug use and supply to safeguard against the associated risk and exploitation resulting in drug seizures to the street value of approximately £300K.  Cash and stolen property has also been recovered. These results have been achieved through intelligence development, self driven investigations, stop searches and arrests and partnership work including internal and external partners. This work has been conducted alongside other daily demand commensurate with neighbourhood policing. There are currently multiple investigations at various stages of the criminal justice process. High level intelligence has been submitted to support the ongoing work of the regional teams in tackling OCGs active in drug supply. The team's activities have been influential in defending the local community against the infiltration of organised crime and protecting vulnerable adults and children from exploitation. The evidence of "on street" drug use and dealing has reduced. The ongoing aim of the team is to make the Exmouth area hostile to the activities of drug OCGs and reduce the impact of dangerous drug networks. The results of the last 24 months support the effective of the team in this regard and reflects their team work ethic and the strong leadership of their sergeant.

We continue to prioritise this activity.

Hot Spot Policing: Sustaining Deployments.

I am very heartened by the profound benefits achieved by virtue of our Hot Spot patrols. We have succeeded working with EDDC to establish Community Warden patrols, and additional police patrols throughout the summer. The deployments have been based on data driven evidence of where we are best to address issues. This has been a significant increase in policing and law enforcement presence in the town centre. We have recently been notified of the sustained provision of funding for such patrols, extending through to April 2025.

Lime Kiln ASB Budleigh Salterton

Lime Kiln car-park has become a concern for boy racer nuisance, which is causing some concern for residents.

Police are to work jointly with EDDC to rectify problems here.

Update: 16 May 2024 - Silence is Golden

We have been monitoring the location and assessing calls about this issue. We have not received reports. Please tell us if it is still continuing. You are our eyes and ears.

Anti-social behaviour in and around the town centre

Anti-social behaviour that scars the reputation of Exmouth for locals and tourists, impacting upon the economy of the town.

Update: 16 May 2024 - Cross Sector Deployments.

On Saturday 27 April officers from the Exmouth Neighbourhood Police Team were supported by colleagues from Rural East Devon and Mid Devon police sectors. The officers provided an increased police presence in Exmouth town centre to reassure the public and carry out arrests. This follows isolated incidents of disorder by youths which took place earlier this month.

Inspector Grant Leitch added: "Neighbourhood policing teams across Exeter, East and Mid Devon Local Policing Area are committed to this new way of working, which allows us to rapidly move resources to the towns or villages where we want to concentrate our efforts to achieve the best results. This means that we can focus our resources to deal with whatever issues concern the public most.

"The aim of the high visibility officer patrols on Saturday was to engage with the public, as well as reassure retailers and address any criminality or anti-social behaviour which they encountered. A suspect was arrested for shoplifting and public order offences. He was charged for both matters and is summonsed for other shoplifting offences. A second man was arrested and subsequently charged with three shoplifting offences, theft of a pensioner’s purse, fraud and handling stolen goods. He was held overnight in police custody and presented to court the next morning.  

Inspector Grant Leitch continued: "Our neighbourhood team, including Police Community Support Officers, sought feedback from local businesses and other partner agencies. The comments were positive and confirmed that the presence of our teams, on the streets, being amongst our communities, is strengthening, reassuring and a positive use of our resources. We aim to continue to provide a good service to local people and listen to their concerns."

Shoplifting in the town centre

Minimizing shoplifting incidents that have negative impact upon local businesses in the town centre.

Update: 16 May 2024 - Adult Suspect Identified and Targeted.

The Exmouth Neighbourhood Team has identified a key individual responsible for both theft from local shops and other instances of disorder. Investigations have been mounted and we seek to supress, challenge and address intolerable behaviour at every opportunity.

Update: 16 May 2024 - Juvenile Offenders Identified and Processed.

The local Neighbourhood Officers have gripped this issue. We have identified a cohort of juvenile offenders who have been processed and are currently being dealt with by the Anti-Social Behaviour escalation process and being placed on police bail whilst ongoing investigations are developed. I have requested and received a data profile for shoplifting in the Exmouth area which identifies trends and hotspots. I am currently working with the PCC's office and EDDC to try and enhance joint patrols which could help in addressing this matter.

Drug dealing and related ASB

We prioritise tackling drug dealing and drug use which lead to ASB and associated risk.

Update: 16 May 2024 - Cross Sector Deployments.

On Saturday 27 April officers from the Exmouth Neighbourhood Police Team were supported by colleagues from Rural East Devon and Mid Devon police sectors. The officers provided an increased police presence in Exmouth town centre to reassure the public and carry out arrests. This follows isolated incidents of disorder by youths which took place earlier this month.

Inspector Grant Leitch added: "Neighbourhood policing teams across Exeter, East and Mid Devon Local Policing Area are committed to this new way of working, which allows us to rapidly move resources to the towns or villages where we want to concentrate our efforts to achieve the best results. This means that we can focus our resources to deal with whatever issues concern the public most.

"The aim of the high visibility officer patrols on Saturday was to engage with the public, as well as reassure retailers and address any criminality or anti-social behaviour which they encountered. A suspect was arrested for shoplifting and public order offences. He was charged for both matters and is summonsed for other shoplifting offences. A second man was arrested and subsequently charged with three shoplifting offences, theft of a pensioner’s purse, fraud and handling stolen goods. He was held overnight in police custody and presented to court the next morning.  

Inspector Grant Leitch continued: "Our neighbourhood team, including Police Community Support Officers, sought feedback from local businesses and other partner agencies. The comments were positive and confirmed that the presence of our teams, on the streets, being amongst our communities, is strengthening, reassuring and a positive use of our resources. We aim to continue to provide a good service to local people and listen to their concerns."

Update: 12 April 2024 - Successes Thus Far.

The team are part of a co-ordinated set of meetings which are designed to see structures and associations in drug supply and use. By virtue of this bespoke investigation and review of intelligence we can sharpen our response to this issue.

Update: 12 April 2024 - Success Thus Far.

Over the last year, the Neighbourhood Team have seized in excess of £350,000 worth of drugs and cash connected with drug supply. This has resulted in excess of twenty investigations with many of those matters still being pursued. The team are wholly engaged with intelligence and information which allows them to evaluate risk and threat, thus determining the priorities. The most recent success was the seizure of more than £20,000 worth of cannabis and two arrests by virtue of that seizure.