NEWQUAY’S police chief has underlined the important role a policing initiative plays helping to keep law and order in the town.

Newquay Inspector Steve Johnson said the Newquay Rangers have demonstrated how their presence can prevent anti-social behaviour and deter criminal acts.

He has spoken out following criticism levelled at the scheme after the Rangers started patrolling the streets for the summer season.

People have argued the Rangers are doing a role that the police should be fulfilling and questioned whether they have the powers to make a difference.

Newquay Rangers aim is to provide visible reassurance, support local businesses, and help residents and visitors feel safe and welcome in the town.

Insp Johnson said: “In the summer of 2024 an initiative driven by the Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner introduced funding to provide both police officers and Street Rangers to the streets of Newquay.

“This initiative was called hot spot policing and was aimed at providing visible presence in the areas of the town, at times when they were most needed, engaging with the public throughout. Interestingly the engagements are far reaching.

“Whilst they still satisfy the criteria above these engagements cover many aspects and a variety of demographics, these aren’t always local people who do notice and provide positive feedback to them as a new addition to the town, but they are both young and old and more interestingly quite often visitors to the town who are both reassured and happy to ask questions.

“These could be directions, advice on which beach is closest, where they can get an evening meal, best location to park their car or in some cases, provide first aid to people.

“This kind of interaction and the satisfaction can’t always be measured, but as a local resident of Newquay myself, I know the importance of leaving that positive lasting impression on visitors to the town, and how this can affect their future choices on revisiting and ultimately effect the local economy.

“Policing projects are developed regularly, but it isn’t often we see the benefit so clearly, particularly when they are delivered by our extended Policing family. Newquay has had the benefit of having a local company with local people providing the Rangers initiative.

“They care about their local community, and this is evident in what they deliver. They are Community Safety Accredited (CSAC), which gives them additional powers for tackling Crime, Disorder and Anti-Social Behaviour, such as taking people’s names and details, detaining people pending the arrival of the police and seizing Alcohol.

“So far, they have demonstrated how their presence can prevent Anti Social Behaviour, deter criminal acts and present safeguarding and informative opportunities to those in the town.

“As the local policing Inspector, I can see the benefits this has had within the local community.

“As a local resident I am reassured that local people have another focal point that can feed into the safer communities agenda and visitors are leaving the town with a positive impression; are more likely to return and tell their friends and families.”