Exeter is a “model” of how Policing should be done

Tony Hogg, the newly appointed Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon and Cornwall, has had a very busy first month in the job.

Since he took on the role in the middle of November, he has started the process of appointing a permanent Chief Constable, which will be chosen after interviews in January, and is reviewing budgets as well as formulating his “Police and Crime Plan” due for release in the New Year.

At a recent press conference, Mr Hogg told The Exeter Daily, “Since being elected I have made sure that I haven’t just been stuck in the office. Getting out into the local community and talking to police officers and staff, partners, groups and the public is vitally important".

"My role is all about being a link between the police and local people and it’s crucial that I listen to a wide variety of views.” 

Mr Hogg has spent a lot of time visiting Devon & Cornwall's Police stations to meet officers and staff, including a night out on patrol in Plymouth. As well as being out and about meeting the public and local police officers, Mr Hogg has spoken with his fellow Police and Crime Commissioners in the South West.

Looking ahead, Mr Hogg has said that he intends to improve the “user experience” of the 101 non-emergency telephone line. He believes in his role as Police & Crime Commissioner he needs to reduce the demands of the police, address crime prevention and tackle alcohol abuse.

Mr Hogg has also said he believes that, in future, low level crime such as vandalism and anti-social behaviour can be tackled through communities “owning their towns and villages”, with volunteers working in conjunction with the police, and has said that he will give his support.

The Police and Crime Commissioner told The Exeter Daily that his strategies for policing will work in harmony with those of the Community Safety Partnership, which he attended a meeting for recently and he will “carry their strategies in the plan”.

Mr Hogg went on to say that he understands that one plan does not fit all across the different areas that make up Devon and Cornwall. He says “Most areas across the peninsula do have the same issues to tackle at the end of the day... Those revolve around domestic violence, sexual violence, anti-social behaviour and alcohol-related crime.”

However, he goes on to say, “I have been impressed with Exeter’s approach to their own policing, not only in terms of pure policing but in terms of street pastors and in the way that businesses work together against crime in the community. It is very well organised in Exeter and a model of how it should be done.”