Plans to use second homes tax on police patrols

Devon and Cornwall's police and crime commissioner (PCC) is to review an idea of using tax windfalls from second homes to increase high-visibility patrols.

Some councils will be able to charge 200% council tax on second homes from April, but where extra money will be spent has become contentious, with South Hams councillors pushing for the cash to be spent on housing.

Pending discussions with Interim Chief Constable James Vaughan, Alison Hernandez said she planned to use some of the additional revenue to expand the Street Focus project.

Street Focus, piloted in Torquay, aims to tackle antisocial behaviour and drug dealing, through a partnership approach with councils and local businesses.

With the high proportion of holiday properties in the region, the force is one of the key beneficiaries of a decision by councils to double council tax rates for second homes.

Hernandez said: "We learned a lot about the impact of police and uniformed patrols from the highly successful hotspot policing project funded via my office, which delivered 13,016 targeted foot patrols between May and November 2024.

"Officers on these patrols made 70 arrests and spoke to 58,000 members of the public."

She added: "I also plan to invest in keeping people safe with money set aside for additional CCTV, night buses and street marshals to tackle alcohol and drug-related crime and antisocial behaviour.

"And I want to work with Chief Constable Vaughan to use the funding to keep sworn officers out of back-office roles which can – and should – be done by civilians."

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