A POLICING initiative has been re-launched in Newquay to help combat crime and disorder.

The Newquay Rangers have started patrolling the streets to provide visible reassurance, support local businesses, and help residents and visitors feel safe and welcome in the town.

The scheme is part of a broader effort to tackle anti-social behaviour, reduce crime, and improve public confidence in the town centre particularly during the busy summer season.

The Newquay Rangers initiative has been relaunched thanks to renewed hotspot funding from the Police and Crime Commissioner, which was awarded to Newquay BID.

Newquay Rangers Nick Linne and Darryn Brooks will be working closely alongside Newquay Police.

Mr Brooks, who received a Citizens in Policing Award whilst working as a Truro Ranger, said: “The most problems we’ve encountered in the town have been drug and alcohol related such as shoplifting, which people have carried out to feed their habit.

“Most of what we do is provide a high visual deterrent. We have a rapport with people who have a criminal intent, and they know they can’t get away with it when we are around.”

“We support vulnerable people during the nighttime economy. We can also offer outreach programmes to anyone we find who are homeless.

“We are Security Industry Authority trained, which teaches us conflict management.”

Newquay BID manager Mark Warren hopes the Newquay Rangers will become a year-round fixture in the town.

Mr Warren said: “The plan is the Newquay Rangers support the police with antisocial behaviour, shoplifting and supporting the welfare of business during certain high-risk times. We would like them during the day, but we have to follow what the police high-risk hours are.

“Newquay Rangers are like a middle step between the police and civilians. They can provide the police with intelligence, which can help with prosecutions.

“The Rangers have ShopWatch radios linked to the police and businesses. A bonus is that the Newquay Rangers know the town and its issues. They work in the nighttime sector, and they know Newquay.

“The biggest feedback had about Newquay Rangers operating last year was from businesses who said it was great they were there when there have been antisocial behaviour incidents and when first aid is needed.

“A lot of the public say aren’t the Newquay Rangers doing a role that the police should be fulfilling but we no longer have police on the ground patrolling the town centre as much so it’s great to have them.

“It has also been said the Newquay Rangers are like bouncers going around with jackets on, but they are Community Safety Scheme accredited, which means they are police vetted to the level of a Police Constable.

“The Newquay Rangers are a normal presence on the high street. We plan to get funding going forward so they have a full-time role.

“Most towns in Cornwall have started to get Rangers. They act as a real deterrent. So, towns that haven’t got them could be seen as easy pickings to people with criminal intent.”

The Newquay Rangers will work increased hours during Boardmasters. Newquay Police will be receiving additional funding to provide additional officers during the peak six-week summer season who will work alongside the Newquay Rangers.

Newquay Inspector Steve 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 peoples 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.”