Working with local businesses to tackle retail crime

Issued 09 October 2026

Embedding UKPAC/CenturySYS into local businesses as way of actively recording theft events and allowing better data collation/crime detection/crime prevention.
This links into our increased local staffing as a result of a neighbourhood uplift.

Actioned 31 March 2027

ASB driving.
The boundary of this is sector wide so encompasses Exmouth seafront as much as issues on the Ottery patch including Clyst Honiton and the B3174 (Old A30). This whole patch approach reflects that the A3052 and Rolle St, Exmouth are our designated ‘high harm' routes, but recognising the issues/perceived issues for Exmouth town and the seafront.
Our aim is not to stop people driving modified cars or indeed any car, quite the opposite, we must encourage people to come to our towns and spaces, however they must do it in a safe and considerate way.

Issued 05 October 2026

The team continue to utilise the Roads Policing Unit to conduct operations around the sector targeting those areas such as Queens Drive Exmouth, Clyst Honiton tunnel and Lime kiln Budleigh Salterton. Aside, the local neighbourhood and patrol teams are out constantly supported by our special constable colleagues using extra skills they have provided by Vision Zero as well as members of our community conducting community speed watch initiatives.

Actioned 20 March 2027

Illegal retail shops.
This is targeted specifically at shops that are using migrant staff of whatever status, to sell counterfeit/smuggled/illegal tobacco/vapes. The parameters of this are the requirement to be a premise and it does not include random street tactics at this time. This is a continuation of existing work and the purpose of this is work with partners around illegal immigration including status breaches, organised immigration crime, smuggling and the sale of potentially dangerous counterfeit goods.
Our aim is to protect vulnerable migrant workers, protect the local community from VAWG (violence against women and girls) generated by the staff in these premises, protect the local community from illicit goods and to protect the local retailers from economic loss. Further, the funds generated by these premises feeds directly into larger national/international OCG (organised crime group) crime.

Issued 05 October 2026

The team have worked closely with Trading Standards, Immigration enforcement and the local authorities to successfully gain closure orders premises already, in Exmouth Town. Tens of thousands of pounds was seized as wells as 100's of thousands in counterfeit and smuggled tobacco. This is handled by Trading Standards. The team maintains an eye across the whole sector including Ottery St Mary and Budleigh Salterton for new premises and continue to actively work with Heart of Devon Trading Standards as well as HM Revenue and Customs and the Immigration Enforcement teams . We have led the way in this area and shared our knowledge across Devon to other policing teams, and it has been used to expeditiously close premises elsewhere. It should be noted that whilst we recognise the concerns around 'Turkish Barbers', it is covered by different legislations.

Actioned 20 March 2027

Drug related ASB.
This is a whole sector priority reflecting the fact that this effects not just Exmouth town but also Budleigh, Cranbrook, OSM, West Clyst, Etc. We will work to tackle either proactively or reactively, reports of drug use be it street or residential, that are blighting a community. This will include working with partners to not only seek prosecutions and target harden an area, but also to displace problem perpetrators out of that community. This work will include the targeting of drug fuelled/drug orientated ASB and crime suspects.

Issued 05 October 2026

In the year 25/26, Exmouth and Ottery Neighbourhood Policing Team secured 11 drugs related prison sentences totalling 180 months . We worked with housing partners to displace nuisance residents as well as actively seeking CBO orders from the Court. We have worked with various charities to support funding under the Proceeds of Crime Act including new kit for Lympstone Football Club Under 11's and a more recently supporting Sideshore with a primary school sea safety and environmental awareness program (approved pending review). If you think that your charity could benefit from the ill-gotten gains of drugs, please contact us.

Actioned 20 March 2027

Exmouth town centre/seafront ASB.
This is an existing PSPO and Home Office funded Hotspot zone. We will continue to target this through the summer months around street drinking, unruly beach parties, generic ASB and youth/VAWG vulnerabilities. Our aim is to make the space safe for all to use and enjoy reflecting the seasonal nature and importance this space has to the local economy and attractiveness of the area. We absolutely must not drive young people away from dedicated spaces where they are to an extent safe. That has potential vulnerability/VAWG related issues. We will work closely with partners such as the Street Marshalls, as well as other statutory and voluntary bodies, to ensure the safety of all.

Issued 05 October 2026

The East Devon District Council PSPO remains in place having been reviewed in March 2026. This gives powers to the police and council wardens to deal with ASB caused by individuals. Aside from this, Exmouth town was identified as a 'hotspot' under Home Office guidance and was allocated extra funding for policing and warden activities. There has been a 54% reduction in ASB reports in the last year. Officers have targeted specific groups of street drinkers that were causing problems in the Strand and there has been a notable reduction in their presence through the summer.
The summer of 2025 was one of outstanding weather and saw a high influx of tourism to the sector including Exmouth beach and town. With the exception of a couple of isolated incidents of youth disorder, we saw no trend of youth related ASB on the beaches and in town. It should be noted that what did occur did not involve young people from Exmouth but reflects the fact that the town and beach are at the end of a train line. Teignmouth sees similar issues with persons accessing areas easily via train for parties. Extra policing was put in place around exam and term break ups. ASB, whilst perceived to be youth based, is often caused by adults. We have tackled some rouge beggars who, it should be noted, are not legitimate, as well as other harassing street vendors. We feel that the spring and summer have on the whole, passed very well with little incident.
This does not include anti-social use of vehicles which is listed separately.
Our policing forward into the 2026 year will be influenced on the successes on 2025.

Actioned 20 March 2027