New police team to support Keyham

Greater visibility for officers follows shootings

Devon and Cornwall Police has created a new team to help people in Keyham, Plymouth - the scene of a mass shooting last month that left five people and the killer dead.

Police say their aim is to promote the recovery and social wellbeing of the area. They want to restore a sense of safety through confidence in local policing, identifying the greatest needs of the community.

The Keyham Policing Team will be a central point of contact for residents to liaise with partner agencies and also represent the community. Neighbourhood policing will have greater visibility and promote community safety.

Officers will try to build relationships with young people to help identify local priorities with all parts of the community. They will provide local crime information and provide a reassuring presence. They promise to listen to people’s views, and be open and honest and treat everyone with dignity and respect.

The strategy recognises the need to plan for and respond to anniversaries, memorials and other key dates, as well as communicating those plans to the community.

Plymouth City Council is taking the lead on the Keyham Community Recovery Strategy. Education providers, registered social landlords and local charities will also play a part.

Inspector Paul Laity, who leads the team, said: “The area will have an enhanced service as all research tells us that that is precisely what it needs as it recovers.

“Our main focus will be supporting the community in Keyham and the surrounding area as a local policing team but there will be parts of our work that may also impact other parts of the city, especially with our work with partners, based on the stronger together idea.

“It is also important to recognise the impact and fear of crime and seek to reduce levels of violent and hate crime but with a sustainable and visible presence, we aim to address those issues.”

Progress of the strategy will be monitored and the results will be measured against objectives and with the findings taken into account in future decisions.