Policing in Plymouth “poor value for money” says council leader

Only ten per cent of hotspot patrolling hours allocated

Plymouth is not getting a good enough police service for the cash local people pay for the service and the level of crime in the city, according to the man leading the council.

Cllr Tudor Evans (Labour, Ham) claims the city receives “incredibly poor value for money” from the police, despite council taxpayers having to pay more for the service each year.

The policing element of council tax is going up by five per cent next month – an average of £13.70 per household a year.

Police and crime commissioner (PCC) Alison Hernandez, a Conservative, has raised tax by more than £100 for the average household since she took office in 2016.

Cllr Evans told a full council meeting that despite suffering a third of all Devon and Cornwall’s crime and lots of anti-social behaviour (ASB), only 10 per cent of ‘hotspot’ patrolling hours are allocated Plymouth.

He suggested there appears to be an “an alarming disparity” between the time spent in Plymouth and other areas of the policing region, referring to a PCC leaflet sent with the council tax information.

“Of the 1,200 ASB incidents throughout the force area, just one sixth were attended by officers in Plymouth, and of 199 arrests in Devon and Cornwall just one sixth were in Plymouth.

“Just 33 arrests and 15 public space protection order enforcements in Plymouth is incredibly poor value for money.”

Mr Evans asked Cllr Sally Haydon (Lab, St Budeaux), who chairs Devon and Cornwall’s police and crime panel, which holds the police and crime commissioner to account, to raise this at a panel meeting.

Cllr Haydon said she and fellow city councillor and panel member Chris Penberthy (Lab, St Peter and the Waterfront) took many opportunities to raise concerns over the value Plymouth gets from the police, as more money appears to go to Torbay and Exeter.

Cllr Evans said: “I am delighted to hear you are speaking up for Plymouth, but I would like you to shout a bit louder at these meetings.”

“Raise this on behalf of Plymouth taxpayers.”

Cllr Lee Finn (Con, Budshead) said the police and crime commissioner could not influence operational policing, but he would support any endeavour to improve policing in the city.

Ms Hernandez has responsibility for how the area is covered, the police budget, the amount of council tax charged and appointing the chief constable, as well as informing the public what the police are doing.

Cllr Haydon said the police do a fantastic job, but how much they do depends on funding and where it is allocated.

“I am fighting for our police estate at Crownhill and Charles Cross, as staff there are working in terrible conditions. I want the commissioner to look after Plymouth for a change, not Torbay or Exeter. We need our fair share.’

Cllr Patrick Nicholson (Ind, Plympton St Mary) wanted Ms Hernandez and interim chief constable James Vaughan to attend a council briefing so councillors could put questions directly to them.

“The service we are getting at the moment is poor and inadequate,” he said.

Cllr Haydon said Mr Vaughan is keen to work in Plymouth and the invitation to meet would be extended to Ms Hernandez as well.