Over 120 officers move to frontline as Devon & Cornwall Police launch boost to patrols
Alongside strengthening patrol teams, the force is also expanding neighbourhood policing
Devon and Cornwall’s frontline policing is set for a major boost, with 121 officers being redeployed or recruited into patrol and neighbourhood roles, a move welcomed by Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez.
The update is due to be formally outlined by Chief Constable James Vaughan at today’s (November 21) meeting of the Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Panel in Plymouth.
According to Mr Vaughan, 71 officers will have joined existing patrol teams by the end of this year, with another 50 set to follow by March 2026.
The uplift is being delivered through a mix of:
- Redeploying experienced officers
- Transferring officers from other forces
- Recruiting new officers
Alongside strengthening patrol teams, the force is also expanding neighbourhood policing.
Fifty new neighbourhood officers are being added, supported by the ongoing recruitment of 50 Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs).
Chief Constable Vaughan said the changes reflect his commitment to building stronger frontline resilience and delivering on the Commissioner’s Police and Crime Plan.
While acknowledging that some organisational changes have been difficult, he stressed they were necessary to improve service delivery.
“We know that once we have stabilised our patrol numbers we will need to continue to maintain our frontline strength across the force,” he said. “We’ll be continuing to look for recruits, particularly police officers and PCSOs, and I would encourage anyone who wants to help keep our beautiful counties safe to come forward and join us.”
Commissioner Hernandez said the public consistently asks for more visible policing and she’s pleased to see these plans taking shape.
“The one thing people repeatedly tell me is that they want to see more police on our streets,” she said.
“I am delighted that the force’s plans to strengthen frontline policing are now coming to fruition under the leadership of the Chief Constable.
"I will continue to monitor how the force maintains policing numbers, particularly foot patrols in our communities.”