New police enquiry office for Exeter

Exeter is to get a new police enquiry office in the heart of the city.

The news was announced by Alison Hernandez, Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

Police enquiry offices (PEOs) are the first point of contact for reported crimes and police incidents, responding to a wide range of enquiries from the public and other agencies, receiving and recording information and dealing supportively with witnesses, victims and the public.

Currently the closest one to the city centre is out at Middlemoor.

The news was welcomed by Cllr Laura Wright, Deputy Leader of Exter City Council. Cllr Wright, who sits on the Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioners Panel and is the Lead Councillor for City Centre Strategy.

She said: “I am very pleased that the Commissioner noted my response to her at the last commissioner’s panel meeting, where she stated that Exeter already has a PEO at Middlemoor.

“After pointing out to her that most people in the city don’t have time or transport to get to Middlemoor so it shouldn’t be classed as a city PEO, she has now brought forward plans to locate a PEO in the city centre.

“This, alongside the Commissioner’s pledge to work with councils to address anti-social behaviour issues in and around the city, is a welcomed response to on-going collaboration between Devon and Cornwall Police and the council.”  

The new Exeter city centre office comes as part of Alison Hernandez’s project to create an additional 18 police enquiry offices (PEOs) around the force area. So far 13 have opened their doors to the public.

Alison Hernandez added: “Connecting communities to the police force which serves them has been the underlying principle of my Police and Crime Plans, and the opening of 18 more police enquiry offices is one example of how I can deliver on that principle. Police Enquiry Offices are places of safety where the public can get help and advice and offer an alternative to the phone in terms of a method of contact.

“Working with local partners on this project has been one of the highlights of my career, and it has been hugely grateful to see the impact this investment has made in our communities, whose contribution via taxation has made it all possible.”

 Exeter City Council will be working with the Commissioner to find an appropriate venue.