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Operation Town Centres

Find out about our Operation Town Centres which will help ensure all Torbay towns are safe and welcoming

We want to achieve high-quality, welcoming, and vibrant town centres where all communities can feel safe and where businesses can thrive.

Operation Town Centres will ensure all Torbay towns are safe and welcoming. Our investment will provide additional enforcement officers and support and welfare staff to address the root cause behind anti-social behaviour.

This will be through collaboration between our staff and the police and using other tools to support this work (read more about this below).

The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) has also pledged to make safety in town centres a priority as part of its Street Focus – Torquay project and we’re working closely with them on this.

One way we’re doing this is by collaborating with Neighbourhood Watch. One of its co-ordinators, Steph Good, will be working in Torbay over the coming months to support existing Neighbourhood Watch schemes, set up further schemes and encourage businesses and groups to sign up to its Community Safety Charter.

Find out more about the Community Safety Charter

What powers can be used to tackle anti-social behaviour?

Public Space Protection Orders

  • Dispersal Notice (DN): Under the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) we can request people leave Torquay town centre for up to 24 hours. This is based on their behaviour being deemed unacceptable. If someone does not comply, they may receive a fine, or other consequences. 
  • Removal of alcohol: Also, under the PSPO we can direct an individual to give up their alcohol. This is in place across the town centres of Torquay, Paignton and Brixham. If someone does not comply with the request, they may receive a fine, or other consequences.

Community Protection Warning (CPW): This is a written warning which must be issued before a Community Protection Notice. It is a request to stop doing something.

Community Protection Notice (CPN): This is a formal notice that addresses ongoing problems of nuisance which are having a negative effect on a community’s quality of life. The notice will direct an individual, organisation or business to stop behaving in certain ways, or to take certain action to resolve an issue. Breach of a CPN is a criminal offence and can be prosecuted in court.

Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO): CBO’s can only be issued following a conviction for a criminal offence in court. A CBO is an order made by the court that can last indefinitely and restricts someone from behaving in certain ways or being in a certain area. They usually last for around three years. Breach of a CBO can result in a prison sentence of up to five years. 

Torbay night bus

Night buses will now be available in Torbay, running into the early hours of the morning every Saturday from 2 November until 21 December, providing a safe travel option for people who are out in the evenings.

The night bus services (operating on the number 12 route), will be provided by Stagecoach and single journeys will cost just £2.

The service will operate on Saturdays over the festive period, plus Friday 20 December – also known as ‘Builders’ Friday’ and New Year’s Eve, in a bid to reduce drink and drug-related incidents.

The service has been set up by Devon & Cornwall Police and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and has our support.

Read more about the service
View the timetable

Help for businesses

If you’re a town centre business, why not consider signing up for StoreNet or NiteNet?

These are radio systems which improve communication and help to address any shoplifting or anti-social behaviour experienced by traders.

The radio system is linked to our CCTV control room which is in turn linked to the police.

 

StoreNet operates during the day while NiteNet is the system for the evening and night-time economy.

Find out more about StoreNet and NiteNet

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