Commissioner's blog: Residents have spoken clearly on police reform

Commissioner's blog: Residents have spoken clearly on police reform

This summer, I asked residents across Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly for their views on one of the biggest questions facing policing today: Should Devon & Cornwall Police remain an independent force, or become part of a larger organisation?

The response could not have been clearer. More than 1,600 people took part in our police reform survey, and almost three quarters (72%) told us they do not support Devon & Cornwall Police being merged with another force. Just 23% said they would support such a move.

These findings reinforce what we have heard consistently from communities across our peninsula. Earlier this year, our Your Safety, Your Say survey found that 66% of respondents wanted Devon & Cornwall Police to continue operating in its current form, while fewer than one in five supported the idea of a regional South West police force.

Devon & Cornwall Police serves one of the largest geographical policing areas in England. Our force covers cities, towns, rural communities, coastal areas and islands, all with very different challenges and priorities.

When people responded to our latest survey, they repeatedly highlighted the importance of local policing. The biggest concerns about a potential merger were:

These concerns were shared across every local authority area, with some of the strongest opposition recorded in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, Plymouth and Torbay.

Residents told us they value a police service that understands their communities and their unique needs. They want local priorities to remain at the heart of policing decisions.

The Government is considering wider police reform proposals, and it is important that local voices are heard as part of that conversation.

While some survey respondents recognised potential advantages of larger forces, such as stronger specialist capabilities and possible efficiency savings, the majority were unconvinced that a merger would deliver better services.

Many respondents disagreed that becoming part of a larger force would improve emergency response times, accountability, police visibility or crime investigations.

More than half of those who completed the survey told us they could not support any merger option if changes became unavoidable. A similar proportion said they could see no benefits from a merger at all.

In light of these results, I have written to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood to express my deep concern about the potential impact of merging Devon & Cornwall Police into a larger organisation. You can read my letter on my website.

In my letter, I have highlighted concerns that a larger force could leave rural communities under-resourced and weaken the local focus that residents value so highly. I have also raised important questions about safeguarding, road safety, public protection responsibilities and how policing would continue to be held accountable locally.

I have asked for assurance that any future business case fully sets out the costs, benefits and risks for every area affected, including any impact on protected groups.

What stands out most from this survey is the consistency of the message. The views expressed by residents across Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly mirror findings from consultations elsewhere in the country, including Hertfordshire, West Mercia and Kent, where significant opposition to police mergers has also been recorded.

People want policing to remain connected to the communities it serves. They want local knowledge, local accountability and local priorities to be protected.

My role as Police and Crime Commissioner is to ensure those views are represented at the highest levels of decision-making. That is exactly what I will continue to do as discussions about police reform progress.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to complete the survey and share their views. Your voice matters, and it will continue to shape the conversations ahead.