Police force launches neighbourhood charter

The charter was made in consultation with local communities, partner agencies and employees

A police force is setting out how it plans to work with communities to prevent and tackle crime in a new charter.

Devon and Cornwall Police's Neighbourhood Policing Community Charter will highlight its commitment to local areas.

The charter was made in consultation with local communities, partner agencies and employees, the force said.

Assitant Chief Constable Glen Mayhew said the charter "sets out how we will deliver this within our communities and what they can expect from us".

It identifies six key themes of visibility and accessibility, responding to our communities, crime prevention, vulnerability, relationships and partnerships.

The charter outlines how "different assets", such as patrol officers, criminal investigation departments and its operations department, "respond to emergencies, investigate crime, develop and analyse intelligence, prosecute offenders, examine crime scenes, and much more besides".

'Quality policing service'

ACC Mayhew, the force’s lead for local policing, said: "Devon & Cornwall Police is committed to neighbourhood policing, which sits firmly at the heart of our organisation.

"This charter further reinforces our pledge to providing a quality policing service and protecting people from harm.

"I am pleased that a recent report from His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) positively highlighted our approach to neighbourhood policing."

He added: "We will continue to build on this good work and use all the assets we have available to provide bespoke neighbourhood policing across our communities.

"People who live in and visit Devon and Cornwall deserve an excellent service. Our preference will always be to prevent crime in the first place.

"By introducing this charter, we place a focus on how we can best work with our partners and communities to do this."