Apathy holding back crime reporting, officer says

Devon and Cornwall Police urged people to report crimes so issues could be addressed

Policing resources can be prioritised if there is evidence of anti-social behaviour, a council meeting has heard.

Speaking at a North Devon Council's licensing and community safety committee, Devon and Cornwall Police urged people to report issues to help cut crime.

Councillors said anti-social behaviour was on the rise in parts of Barnstaple, Ilfracombe and Braunton.

Sgt Kevin Connar said: "Resources are finite, but if we know what is happening and told where the issues are we can better prioritise the resources we do have."

He added: "Sometimes there is apathy [about] reporting because people do not believe there is an outcome from it... as police we are duty bound to investigate reports of crime.

"You must coach the electorate to report and support them to report."

Councillor Joy Cann said anti-social behaviour in Barnstaple had increased since street-based youth workers were scrapped as young people did not react well to police officers.

However, police said in the last three weeks a new outreach youth work programme had begun in Barnstaple, and a youth centre had been refurbished and reopened.

Councillor Pru Maskell suggested crime was shifting to rural areas because it was more closely monitored in towns, and said one child she had spoken to was terrified of going to school in Braunton.

Sgt Connar said when young people were not going to school out of fear it was an issue for schools to address as well as police and councillors.

He said when dealing with young offenders it was important to recognise adverse childhood experiences, deprivation and immaturity.

The force said it had seen benefits from employing a dedicated child-centred police investigator.