Exeter to get more police on the streets as major neighbourhood policing reforms announced

Exeter residents can expect to see more police on their streets and faster responses to emergencies under major national reforms bringing 121 extra frontline officers to Devon and Cornwall.

The changes, announced by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and backed by Exeter MP Steve Race, aim to reverse years of declining police visibility and give communities like Exeter faster, more reliable support when they need it.

For city residents who have long raised concerns about antisocial behaviour, shoplifting and delayed response times, the reforms are being billed as a turning point.

Under the new standards, police will be expected to reach serious incidents within 15 minutes in urban areas such as Exeter, with 999 calls answered within 10 seconds. 

Forces that fail to meet the targets could face direct Home Office intervention, including specialist turnaround teams being sent in to drive improvement.

Mr Race said the overhaul would deliver real improvements for people across his constituency.

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“Exeter residents want to feel safe in their neighbourhoods and confident that when they call the police, help will arrive quickly,” he said.

“These reforms will put more officers back on our streets, speed up responses and ensure local communities get the level of service they deserve.”

Locally, the impact of the changes is already beginning to take shape.

Devon and Cornwall Police have confirmed that 121 officers are being moved into frontline roles over the coming months, with 71 joining patrol teams by the end of this year and a further 50 by March 2026.

The extra capacity will be delivered through redeploying experienced officers, transferring staff from other forces and recruiting new officers.

Neighbourhood policing teams – which cover areas such as Exeter city centre, St Thomas, Heavitree and Pinhoe – are also being strengthened with the addition of 50 police officers in neighbourhood roles and the recruitment of 50 new Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs).

Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez said the investment would make a tangible difference in Exeter and across the region.

“The one thing people repeatedly tell me is that they want to see more police on our streets to make them feel safer,” she said.

“This investment means more officers out and about in communities like Exeter – preventing crime, tackling antisocial behaviour and building trust with residents.”

She added: “I will continue to monitor how the force maintains policing numbers, particularly foot patrols in our communities.”

For many people in Exeter, the promise of more visible neighbourhood policing is particularly significant.

Residents’ groups and businesses have frequently called for a stronger police presence in areas such as the High Street, Sidwell Street and busy transport hubs, especially at weekends and during late-night periods.

Under the Government’s Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, every council ward – including those in Exeter – will have named, contactable officers, and local people will be entitled to a response to community concerns within 72 hours.

Chief Constable James Vaughan said increasing frontline numbers had been a priority for the force.

“Since I became Chief Constable, I have been committed to building the numbers of officers working in frontline roles across Devon and Cornwall,” he said.

“We know how important visible policing is to communities, and these changes will help us improve resilience, respond more quickly and build stronger relationships with the public we serve.”

The reforms are not only focused on traditional street policing.

With around 90 per cent of crime now leaving a digital footprint, the Government is also investing in more cyber investigators, digital forensics specialists and crime analysts to help forces tackle fraud, online abuse and organised crime.

This is expected to strengthen the ability of Devon and Cornwall Police to deal with the growing number of online and technology-enabled crimes affecting Exeter residents and businesses.

A new National Police Service will take responsibility for major national threats such as terrorism and serious organised crime, freeing up local officers to focus on everyday issues including burglary, shoplifting and antisocial behaviour.

New analysis from the Government shows neighbourhood policing numbers fell sharply over the last decade, with thousands fewer officers and PCSOs in community roles and many residents reporting they rarely saw police on patrol.

Mr Race said the reforms were designed to rebuild that lost connection between the police and local communities.

“After years of decline, Exeter is finally getting the focus and resources it needs,” he said.

“Police officers and PCSOs work incredibly hard to keep our communities safe, but they have been held back by outdated structures and red tape.

“These reforms will make a real difference to the lives of people in Exeter, with our police better equipped to catch criminals, cut crime and make sure people feel safe again.”

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the plans would deliver a long-overdue reset for policing.

“People are reporting crimes and then waiting hours or even days for a response,” she said. “I will restore neighbourhood policing and scale up patrols in communities to catch criminals and cut crime.”

The Home Office has described the programme as the biggest overhaul of policing in two centuries, setting clear national standards while promising stronger local accountability.