Busy resorts in Devon and Cornwall to receive extra funding to tackle anti-social behaviour
Street marshals and extra CCTV will be employed at some of Devon and Cornwall's busiest resorts this summer to tackle anti-social behaviour.
The scheme is a direct response to concerns raised by councils about specific areas experiencing rowdy behaviour since lockdown restrictions have been eased.
The half a million pound fund will put more resources into 20 hotspots in the West Country including Exmouth, Torquay, Plymouth and Newquay.
Street marshals in Newquay have already been patrolling for several weeks as part of an initiative from Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez in response to alcohol fueled problems on seafronts and in towns across Devon and Cornwall.
Alison said: "The reality is that we don't have patrols at our beaches regularly and we don't have them in big parks and woodlands so it's to ensure that people feel safe going about enjoying themselves."
The commissioners £500,000 fund can be used for things like CCTV and temporary toilets in busy places, as well as extra street marshals.
Street Marshal James Watson said: "For us it's about being a visual deterrent. We've got no powers really on the street but we've got that communication with the police if needed.
"We've had a fantastic relationship with them from day one. And it's all about being an extra set of eyes and ears for them."
In Newquay, where the population often quadruples in the summer, local councillor Geoff Brown says: "Anything we can get to support policing is great.
"I've been talking to the street marshals this morning and the body cams they've been wearing in particular are really good because if a situation is developing they switch the body cam on and that's collating evidence.
"That tends to diffuse the situation so they're really good but they're no substitute for police on the street."
Newquay's MP Steve Double says more police officers are being recruited.
"This is not a replacement for front line warranted officers but it does complement that and I think it can play a very important role in just supporting the police in their role.
"We are seeing police numbers grow across Devon and Cornwall and we are growing the number of police officers, so this in no way replaces that but I think it does provide some very valuable support."
On Fistral beach, holiday makers told us they feel the marshals are making a difference.
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