PCC to reopen six more front desks using 'support' from budget
Devon and Cornwall PCC Alison Hernandez said these new desks will add to six which have reopened in recent months, including two in early 2023.
An extra six front desks are to reopen in Devon and Cornwall as part of a commitment made by the PCC to offer better access to policing.
Speaking at the latest meeting of the Police and Crime Panel (PCP) on January 27, Alison Hernandez said: "We have just announced today that, with the support of the budget, we will have six more locations reopening."
This raft of front desks is separate to the six which have already reopened in Newton Abbot, Tiverton, Penzance, Truro, Falmouth and Bude (the last two of which opened on January 30).
To help gauge the appetite for more front desks, residents were invited to choose three preferred locations from a list of 44 stations in a survey circulated last November.
While those locations have yet to be confirmed, PCC Hernandez has allocated part of the 2023/24 budget to reopening an additional six desks - which she says will take the total to 23.
Under this proposed budget, the force is to receive a total of £384m - made up of £218m in central government funding and £166m raised from council tax.
A 6% increase to the precept will account for part of the sum generated from council tax, having been approved by the PCP.
In a website post confirming the news, PCC Hernandez wrote: 'There is clearly public support to reopen front desks with 70% of those who took part in my recent policing priorities survey saying they supported more investment in this project.
'Decisions will take into consideration location feasibility, distance from existing front desks, public demand and a view from operational police officers.'