Residents and businesses will be able to talk with local services about the positive work being done to respond to community safety concerns in Penzance at a drop-in event.

They are invited to come and talk to key agencies and services that have been working together to address continuing concerns about anti-social behaviour, and related drug and alcohol problems, in the town centre.

Mayor of Penzance, Dick Cliffe, said: “We are committed to ensuring people feel safe in our town and other public spaces. It is however a complex and multifaceted problem that can only be addressed by tight partnership working of all those involved.”

The event, organised by the Safer Penzance partnership, will include the Police, Cornwall Council, Anti-Social Behaviour Team, Penzance Town Council, the Business Improvement District (BID), Addaction, St Petrocs, Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service and others.

Cllr Cliffe added: “We have to face harsh realities. Resources committed to public safety have diminished in Cornwall as across the whole country. We are having to find innovative ways of being more effective with less. Penzance Town Council is pleased to support Safer Penzance and the forthcoming town centre hub.”

“I have previously stated we mustn’t conflate rough sleeping and anti-social behaviour as being the same issue. The high level of rough sleeping in the UK is a national embarrassment and the result of unintended but predictable consequences of nationwide policies.

"An entirely different response to anti-social behaviour is needed, the perpetrators of which generally have homes. Penzance will not tolerate anti-social behaviour.

"In a national context, Penzance, like all Cornish towns, is amongst the safer places to live and work in the country. Our aim is to keep it that way.”

Each will have information stands and staff available to talk with members of the public.

The Safer Penzance partnership has been working for many months to address underlying problems in the town.

Next month a new hub will open on the busy Causewayhead thoroughfare, where people will be able to report crime and anti-social behaviour incidents, and make appointments to raise any further concerns with representatives of local organisations.

Sue James, Cornwall Council Portfolio Holder for Environment and Public Protection, said: “Through the Safer Penzance partnership, agencies and services have been working together to tackle issues in the town centre, raise awareness about where to report problems, and to increase the level of reporting.”

“Cornwall Council and its partners have been exploring all options to effectively tackle the situation, and the police continue to visit the affected areas on a regular basis.”

“When opened, the Causewayhead hub will provide a central point for finding out about what is being done, for sharing information and to find out how to make a report if you have a concern.”

The Safer Penzance Community Event is from 1.30pm to 6.30pm on Tuesday, January 29 at St John’s Hall, Alverton Rd, Penzance TR18 2QW.