PCC sets priorities with four-year crime plan

Alison Hernandez said she would be "unrelenting in holding the chief constable to account for making the improvements"

Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Alison Hernandez has said the force must be "relentless" as part of its new four-year plan to tackle crime.

Hernandez said theft and alcohol-related offences would be priorities for the force alongside tackling rural crimes.

The commissioner's office said other strategic priorities included a focus on serious violence and anti-social behaviour, all of which would be tailored to specific locations.

Hernandez said she would be "unrelenting in holding the chief constable to account for making the improvements".

'Fair, efficient and relentless'

James Vaughan was announced as the new interim chief constable in December 2024.

It followed the suspension of previous interim chief constable Jim Colwell in November and the suspension of the substantive chief constable Will Kerr in July 2023.

The new plan is aims to tackle issues based around four types of location - towns and city centres, countryside and coastal areas, roads, and homes and neighbourhoods.

The commissioner said there would be an emphasis on protecting women and girls from violence.

'Increase public confidence'

Hernandez said: "I want a police force that our communities can trust and be proud of; one that is fair, efficient, and relentless in its fight against crime and pursuit of justice."

The plan sets out how the commissioner will measure the performance of the force, including improved call waiting times, more accurate crime recording, and an increase in public confidence.

Another aim of the plan is to help remove the force from His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabularies and Fire & Rescue Services' "engage" status, which is given if a force is not responding to a cause of concern or if it is not succeeding in managing the issue.

The watchdog said Devon and Cornwall Police had experienced a deterioration of crime recording and a poor response to emergency and non-emergency calls.