Launched in 2015, Are You OK?  Opens in a new window False is a website that offers support, advice and resources around domestic abuse and sexual violence for both the public and professionals.

Ask for Angela is a safeguarding initiative which aims to combat sexual violence and abuse.  Adopted by licensed premises, the campaign displays posters encouraging customers to approach staff members and ask for ‘Angela’ if they feel unsafe whilst on a night out.  Ask for Angela was first adopted by the Torbay Best Bar None Group in 2017 and currently has over 21 premises signed up to the scheme.

BBN UK is a nationally accredited scheme supported by the Home Office and aimed at promoting responsible management and operation of alcohol licensed premises. The scheme is run by licensed premises and locally supported by the CSP.

We have provided funding towards the implementation of body worn cameras which are utilised by council staff such as parking enforcement officers, dog warden, security and town centre staff. The use of cameras act as a deterrent and has seen a reduction in aggression and conflict displayed by members of the public as well as providing crucial evidence in criminal proceedings.

One of the main element of our Prevent Work is a programme called Channel. Channel is a voluntary, confidential process which operates throughout England and Wales to safeguard people identified as being at risk of being drawn into terrorism.

A referral can come from anyone who is concerned about a person they know who may be at risk, whether a family member, friend, colleague or concerned professional.

Channel is a statutory duty of the local authority and is chaired by a council representative. Torbay Council works with multi‐agency partners to collectively assess the risk to an individual and decide whether an intervention is necessary.

Participation in the Channel programme is voluntary and confidential and is not a criminal sanction. The Channel programme provides tailored and wide-ranging support which is monitored and reviewed regularly by the Channel panel.

If you are concerned that someone you know may be at risk of being drawn into terrorism you can:

• In an emergency ring 999
• Report concerns anonymously to CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111
• Call the Ani-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321
• Contact Devon & Cornwall Police Prevent Team via 101 or email prevent@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk
• Report something suspicious
• Report online material promoting terrorism or extremism
• Torbay Channel Privacy Notice

In 2017 the Children’s Society delivered Child Sexual Exploitation training to over 400 Taxi drivers in Torbay to raise the awareness of CSE and how drivers can spot the signs. Following this success, the Torbay licensing department subsequently amended the Hackney Carriage (Taxi) and private hire policy to require CSE training become mandatory for all drivers.

The Herbert Protocol is a national scheme encouraging carers, family members and friends to compile useful information which could be used in the event of a vulnerable person going missing. This simple risk reduction tool has been rolled out by the CSP in collaboration with Devon & Cornwall Police to the Torbay care manager’s network and wider adult safeguarding teams.

For more information visit the Devon and Cornwall Police website.

The Prevent strategy covers all types of terrorism and extremism, including the extreme right wing, violent Islamist groups and other causes.

• Prevent - To stope people becoming terrorist or supporting terrorism
• Prepare - To mitigate the impact of terrorism
• Protect - To strengthen our protection against a terrorist attack
• Pursue - To stop terrorist attacks

Prevent aims to stop people from being exposed to extreme ideologies, or becoming involved in or supporting terrorist activity. It is an approach that involves many agencies and communities, to safeguard people who may be at risk of radicalisation.
The Prevent strategy covers all types of extremism, both domestic violent and non-violent extremism, including the extreme right wing, Islamist militantism and other causes.

Terrorism is a very real threat to all our communities and terrorists seek to exploit those who are most vulnerable. That is why it is vital that we all work together to support those who are at risk of being drawn into terrorism – whatever section of society they may be from.

We have a responsibility to ensure that people are prevented from being drawn into extremism or terrorism. Find out how you can ACT.

Purple Flag is a national accreditation scheme for towns and city centres and is recognised as the ‘gold standard’ for a safe and vibrant night time destinations, similar to blue flag award for beaches. 

There are over 70 Purple Flag towns and cities across the UK of which Torquay is the only town in the South West to be granted the Purple flag award.

The scheme is supported by the Home Office and Association of Chief police Officers, the Local authorities’ coordinators of regulatory service, Diageo and many other organisations.

In partnership with South Devon CSP, Torbay have developed a risk assessment and guidance document to be completed by event organisers when submitting their applications to the local authority events teams. The document prompts organisers to consider potential safeguarding issues and demonstrates due diligence in relation to the protection of children, young people and adults at risk of harm.

Street Pastors are a national scheme first established in London in 2003. Torbay Street Pastors are visible during Friday and Saturday nights and engage with people on the streets to care, listen, and help them. They work closely with the police, local authority, NHS, and licensed premises, and greatly reduce the burden place on the emergency services

Taxi Marshals are in extensive use across the country and provide a valuable contribution towards tackling violence and disorder associated with the Night Time Economy (NTE) in town centres by managing late night licensed taxi ranks.  Taxi Marshals in Torbay are high visibility security staff deployed at targeted late night taxi ranks to increase safety, manage queues and maintain order.

We recognise trauma and Adverse Childhood Experience (ACEs) as a key cross cutting theme affecting many aspects of partnership working.

Trauma is defined as an emotional wound, resulting from a shocking event or multiple and repeated life-threatening and/or extremely frightening experience that cause lasting negative effects on a person. 

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are stressful events occuring in childhood such as: Domestic Violence, neglect, sexual abuse, substance misuse, or parental incarceration.

ACEs have been found to have lifelong impacts and can lead to substantial and lasting damage on brain development of the individual.  As such, the experience of trauma and/or ACEs has been identified as highly prevalent amongst homelessness and incarceration cohorts.

We are working with partners to develop a local training package that assist members of the public and professionals better understand Trauma and ACEs.

The Turning Corners project was created in 2019 following a successful £500,000 joint bid made by Torbay and South Devon to the Home Office Early Intervention Youth Fund. The project is a multi-agency process tasked with identifying, diverting and safeguarding young people who are at risk of criminal exploitation.

We work closely with Julian House to provide housing advice and support to individuals who leave prison and face homelessness. The service provides signposting, information on local services and provisions, as well as access to referral forms to services including the council, local hostels or homeless charities.