Safer Penzance strives to achieve this through partners working together to tackle crime and the impact of alcohol, drugs, anti-social behaviour. We provide a multi-agency response, directly involving local organisations and community groups.
Safer Penzance is a partnership between Safer Cornwall, Cornwall Council, Penzance Town Council, Penzance BID, St Petrocs, WeAreWithYou, Growing Links, Cornwall Fire and Rescue, and other community organisations.
Based on the evidence presented in the Penzance Town Profile and the feedback from the Residents Survey, Safer Penzance has produced a Delivery Plan and have identified the following community safety priorities for the town.
The partnership currently meets monthly, to discuss current issues and conduct a joint agency problem solving effort to resolve them.
We do this through regular sharing of intelligence from the community and between partners to identify and Dangerous Drug Networks from operating in the town. This may include the Police executing warrants on certain addresses, safeguarding conferences to protect affected vulnerable children and adults and by education and prevention initiatives.
Penzance has the unique benefit of having its own dedicated Anti-social behaviour Caseworker. This means that unlike other towns which usually only have a share of one post, Penzance’s Officer is 100% Penzance based. They will be on patrol most days, and when not on patrol will be doing the crucial behind the scenes work to progress ASB cases towards sustainable solutions. This may mean using the enforcement powers available to them through the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act (2014), or through other support and diversion pathways such as mediation, or intervention through the Youth Justice Service.
A monthly ASB Target group meeting is a multi-agency forum chaired by Penzance’s dedicated anti-social behaviour caseworker, to focus on individuals causing ASB in the town. The group plans enforcement and support measures which strive to achieve long-term sustainable solutions for individuals involved, as well as protecting and reassuring the public.
We work closely with our partners at Safer Futures, and local groups such as West Cornwall Women’s Aid, to ensure the victims of domestic abuse can get the right support for them. Safer Futures offers a comprehensive training package to professionals to help them with early identification and intervention for domestic abuse and sexual violence. We also promote local and national campaigns to raise awareness of Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence in all its forms, with particular focus on Violence Against Women and Girls. This helps give the public the confidence to talk about the issue, identify issues in the community, and tell us so we can support them.
Safer Penzance has a fantastic representation of organisations supporting young people in the area. The Penzance and Newlyn Youth Project is a brilliant local CIC offering a regular youth club with various activities for young people to get involved with. Action for Children as Cornwall Council’s Commissioned Service also deliver in the area under the Kernow Connect project, as well as Young People Cornwall through their assertive outreach initiative.
We host regular public engagement events such as pop-ups in the Town centre, and are present at key events such as Golowan Festival and Pride. We keep Penzance updated with regular news on our website, social media, and through our involvement in Community stakeholder groups such as the West Penwith CAP Police Liaison Group meetings, so that local Elected Members can hold us to account on delivering what we promise.
This project has been designed to offer people an alternative to giving money directly to people who beg in Penzance, it will involve the placement of contactless donation points and QR codes in local shops and in shop windows. Through one tap, money can be donated directly to charity through St Petrocs who provide services to people experiencing homelessness.
Through this project, members of the local community and local businesses can work together to end street begging whilst supporting people sleeping rough.
Where will my donation go?
The ‘Tap for Penzance’ project will directly support our Breadline Resource Centre in Penzance, which offers a ‘drop in’ safe space to support people at risk of and who are sleeping outside. People can access hot food, warm clothing and sleeping bags, wash and laundry service. Our team at Breadline also help people to find accommodation through advice and support.
Breadline has had a presence in Penzance for 39 years and became a part of St Petrocs in 2005. Unfortunately, our service is needed now more than ever, and in March 2024, Breadline supported 52 people alone. With the support of ‘Tap for Penzance’, we will be able to continue to work with people who need our help.
Where can I find a ‘tap’ point?
There are currently 4 donation points in Penzance :
We release updates on the Safer Cornwall news page to keep you in the loop about the positive work we do in the town.
