Falmouth will become part of Cornwall Council's Safer Towns initiative, which will mean that a partnership of public, voluntary, community, and private organisations will co-ordinate to help keep the community safer.

In the coming ten days the council will reach out to residents of Falmouth to raise awareness and give people the chance to voice their concerns and let them know what changes need to be made. There will be town workshops so that people have the chance to identify issues that are concerning them and their community, and give the council a better idea of how to tackle these problems.

Police Commander for Cornwall Chief Superintendent Jim Pearce said: “Safer Towns reflects Devon and Cornwall Police’s ethos in putting people and places at the heart of all what we do. We are already beginning to realise the benefits that working together, the public sector with the communities and residents have achieved in existing Safer Towns like Newquay. We are fully committed to supporting the new Safer Towns”.

In towns where the initiative is already in place, organisations work together to target people and places that cause persistent problems for communities. Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez has committed £50,000 to extend the program, which already operates in St Austell, Newquay, Truro, and Penzance.

Cornwall Council Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods Sue James said: “In Cornwall we have lower levels of crime so it is generally a safe place to live. However, we know different communities have their own specific concerns that make them feel unsafe. We are keen to work with communities to tackle anti-social behaviour and community safety issues worrying them so as to stop them from escalating and affecting the quality of people’s lives. I want the partnerships to make a real difference in each of the towns being targeted for improvement."

The Safer Towns initiative is also extending to cover Bodmin, Camborne, Redruth, Liskeard, and Saltash this month.

If you would like to be part of your local Safer Town initiative or want to find out more please email communitysafety@cornwall.gov.uk.