Police in Paignton are warning nuisance drivers about a new noise monitoring device as they respond to community concerns. 

Anti-social driving along the Esplanade has been reported by local residents and hoteliers with vehicles beeping their horns, revving their engines and accelerating quickly.  

Devon & Cornwall Police has been working with us, Paignton Community Partnership and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner to respond to reports of anti-social driving, sometimes in the early hours of the morning. 

Signs warning drivers about the acoustic monitoring technology or ‘noise camera’ are being put in place and excess noise will be registered and dealt with. There are already CCTV cameras in the area, which we manage, and which act as a deterrent to offenders.

Paignton and Brixham Neighbourhood Inspector Pete Giesens explained: “We understand that nuisance drivers can have a negative community impact and this issue is a priority for me and my team. The pioneering acoustic technology monitors noise levels and takes a firm, but fair approach. The evidence will go to my Neighbourhood Police Team who carry out regular patrols in the area. We want to educate drivers first before we take any enforcement action.

“Drivers caught exceeding noise limits will receive warning letters, with repeat offenders facing Section 59 warnings. These warnings could ultimately result in their vehicles being seized if they are caught for a second time. 

“Our aim is to deter anti-social drivers and we have been working with local residents whose lives have been affected by the noise and disruption; we are committed to helping to make the area safer for all road users.”

Incidents of anti-social behaviour in Paignton reported to police have decreased over recent years. Between 1 January and 31 December 2024 there were a total of 836 ASB incidents reported and for the same period in 2025 the total incidents reported had dropped to 671.

Councillor David Thomas, Leader of Torbay Council, said: “Anti-social driving has been blighting the residents and businesses around the seafront for some time so I’m pleased to report we’ve been able to work with our partners to get this camera up and running and respond to the community’s concerns.

He added: “It will be a useful deterrent and sit alongside our existing CCTV cameras in the area, which continue to gather evidence around anti-social behaviour and criminal activity.”

Paignton is one of the designated Hotspot policing areas in Devon and Cornwall with a focus on anti-social behaviour. This means the area has benefited from extra high visibility police foot patrols in the town, thanks to Home Office funding, as well as increased community engagement to tackle the problem.

Between 1 April and 31 December 2025, there were 207 hours of officer foot patrol in Paignton town centre and the extra police presence in the town has had a positive effect. 

Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez added: “This is a great example of the role my office can have in making sure concerns raised by members of the public lead to action. Since residents and business owners in Paignton raised this issue, my team has been facilitating a conversation between the council and the police about this issue. The enforcement plan that has been developed has relied on advice from a dedicated anti-social behaviour lawyer funded by my office.

“We have also been collating dozens of enquiries from people across Devon and Cornwall expressing an interest in the noise camera technology and, if successful in Paignton, I would like to see further cameras being deployed across our two counties. Anti-social behaviour is the issue people most frequently tell me they want the police to tackle and noisy driving can cause real damage to people’s wellbeing and their livelihoods.”