Police take action against male predators to maintain Torbay safe nights out

Neighbourhood Police Teams in Torbay have been taking steps to keep everyone safe during their nights out and now they want to hear your views.

As part of Operation Funnel officers have been working to target male based predatory behaviour around the evening and night time economy (ENTE) over recent months.

Ten Community Protection Warnings have been issued and police have obtained two Sexual Risk Orders, as well as conducting both high visibility and plain clothed operations to target this behaviour.

Torquay Inspector Rob Harvey explained: “As well as the important steps we have taken like warnings and orders to protect the public we have also created an Evening and Night Time Economy working group that is led by our community safety partnership and brings key partners together.

“To help steer and guide this working group in 2026 we are now asking for residents’ views on their experiences during the evening and night-time in Torquay, Paignton and Brixham. This includes experiences of certain behaviours but also identifying areas where people have felt unsafe.

“Please take a few minutes to complete the short survey (eight questions) to help us create and maintain a safer Torbay. Please also share the survey link in order for us to gather as many responses as possible.”

• A Community Protection Warning is a formal notice given to individuals or businesses undertaking persistent anti-social behaviour that harms the local community's quality of life. A stricter Community Protection Notice (CPN) may follow if the behaviour doesn't stop or change.
• A Sexual Risk Order (SRO) is a civil court order preventing harm by individuals who have committed sexual acts, even without a conviction, by imposing restrictions like travel bans or requiring treatment, aiming to protect the public by managing risk. SROs can involve notifying police of name/address changes and can include conditions like surrendering passports, with a breach being a criminal offence.

The public survey can be accessed here - https://orlo.uk/njYzj