Public support Devon and Cornwall Police continuing as a single force, survey finds

Residents across Devon and Cornwall have expressed clear support for Devon & Cornwall Police continuing as a single force, according to the results of the Police and Crime Commissioner’s 2026 Your Safety, Your Say survey.

The survey, launched in December 2025, received 1,533 responses between 11 December 2025 and 12 January 2026 — an 18% increase on the same period the previous year and well above the sample size required for statistically significant results. The survey remains active online for people to submit their views but initial results have been collated to help set the policing part of the council tax. 

In November, the Government announced that Police and Crime Commissioners will not be replaced when their current terms of office end in May 2028.  The Government is expected to announce further policing reforms before the end of January and it’s been reported that this could include police force mergers. 

When asked about the possibility of police force mergers, 66% of survey respondents said they would like Devon & Cornwall Police to continue in its current form. Nearly 18% of people expressed a preference for a South West regional force merging five forces, nearly 13% were in favour of a single force for England and 1.5% supported the creation of a separate Cornwall-only police force. Comments from respondents showed a range of views, but many emphasised the importance of service quality.  

Alongside views on force structure, the survey explored public confidence in policing. Confidence in Devon & Cornwall Police appears to have increased year on year, with 32% of respondents saying they feel “confident” or “extremely confident” in the force, compared with 29% last year. People continue to report higher levels of confidence in local policing than in policing across the UK as a whole. 

Antisocial behaviour (ASB) was identified as the top issue residents want the police to tackle, followed by drugs, people carrying weapons, dangerous driving and shoplifting. These were the same top five concerns as in last year’s survey, with antisocial behaviour also most frequently selected as the area needing further investment under the Police and Crime Plan. 

The survey also highlighted strong public support for increased funding to tackle violence against women and girls. Six in 10 respondents said they would like more money spent in this area and most of them were male. There was similarly strong backing for independent victim services, with 79% agreeing that victims should receive support from services independent of the police. 

When asked about police governance, 62% of respondents said they would like more of a say in how the police element of council tax is spent. Most people who responded to the survey (42%) said they would like to see police and crime commissioners replaced with a policing board made up of council leaders across Devon and Cornwall. Nearly a third of people said they would like to keep the role of police and crime commissioner, 8% of people expressed a preference for the police to be scrutinised by an elected mayor, while 7% said they do not think the police need to be held to account.   

The survey also explored community cohesion, with 45.5% of respondents agreeing that their local area is a place where “people from different backgrounds get on together”. 

The Your Safety, Your Say survey was promoted through local and national media, social media campaigns and in-person engagement events across Devon and Cornwall, including youth groups, shopping centres, colleges and cultural venues. 

Commissioner Alison Hernandez said: “I would like to thank everyone who has filled out our survey. It is reassuring to see my priorities continue to be aligned with the things that matter most to people.  

“For example, to help tackle ASB and improve safety my office has launched a Street Focus partnership in Camborne following the success of project Street Focus Torquay.  

“Theft is another increasing concern. Police officers have been targeting resources on a crackdown on crime in Plymouth city centre following an increase in reports of shoplifting and ASB, including street drinking. Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Business Crime Reduction Partnership (BCRP) was also launched last year to offer a more collaborative and effective approach to reducing retail crime, and my office is continuing with the roll-out of business crime reduction solution UK Partners Against Crime (UKPAC). 

“The fight against drugs continues to be disrupted by regular coordinated policing operations across the peninsula, including Operation Scorpion and Pubs Against Drugs. These continue to deliver great results and send out a clear message that drugs will be tolerated in our communities.” 

The findings of the annual survey will help inform future decisions on policing priorities, ensuring that public views continue to shape policing across Devon and Cornwall. It is a statutory requirement that the Commissioner carries out a survey every year as part of the process to set the police part of the council tax. Councillors on the Police and Crime Panel will have the opportunity to consider the Commissioner’s budget proposal, including the level of the policing precept in the 2026-27 council tax bill, at a meeting on Friday, January 30.  

To complete the Your Safety, Your Say survey, please visit Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office | Commonplace