FUNDING has been made available for hotspot police patrols in Newton Abbot as the scheme has proved succesful since launching in May.

More than 2,000 hours of extra police patrols across Devon and Cornwall have resulted in 62 arrests during the first quarter of a hotspot policing initiative.

The scheme, which launched in May this year, aims to tackle anti-social behaviour and serious violence.

In its first quarter, the initiative delivered 2,104 additional hours of police foot patrols across Barnstaple, Exeter, Newquay, Plymouth, Torquay and Truro.

This resulted in more than 60 arrests and 70 stop searches leading to nine offensive weapons seized, more than 30 drug seizures, more than 35 instances of stolen goods being recovered and more than 30 seizures of alcohol.

And now funding has been made available for hotspot police patrols in Exmouth, Penzance, Paignton and Newton Abbot.

Hotspot policing aims to drive impactful community engagement, placing officers in the right place at the right time, enabling proactive policing.

Chief Inspector Tim Evans, who heads up the project, said: ‘Hotspot policing is a proven methodology and the results across Devon and Cornwall so far confirm that high visibility patrols are effective.

‘Officers are not only deterring and disrupting crime while out on patrol but actively engaging with the public.

‘We have received fantastic feedback so far with residents happy to see more police on the streets.’

Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez secured £1 million of Home Office funding to deliver additional police and street marshal patrols.

Commissioner Hernandez, who provided a further £200,000 in funding to help maximise the number of street marshal patrols, said: ‘I am pleased to see that the targeted approach of hotspot policing is having a real impact on ASB and serious violence already.

‘While it’s clear these patrols are disrupting crime, it’s important not to overlook the wider impact of officers spending time on foot where the public want to see them.

‘The addition of street marshals will only strengthen the work already underway to make our communities safer.

‘I am confident they will provide valuable reassurance and assistance to individuals and businesses alike.’