Getting Involved

If you are interested in community safety and would like to be more involved in tackling issues facing your neighbourhood we hope that the information here will help you.

Whether you have a lot of spare time to invest in getting involved, or would just like the opportunity to contribute your time or your views now and again, we hope that we can offer you something suitable.

Talk to us

If you are aware of a community safety issue or concern in your neighbourhood please contact us by email at scatt@torbay.gov.uk or write to us at Safer Communities Torbay, Paignton Police Station, PO Box 1, Paignton, TQ3 2YF.

Talk to your local policing team

Email officers from your local policing team or tell your police officers what your priority community safety issues are via the My Neighbourhood pages.

Join a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme

Neighbourhood Watch Schemes are a great way to get to know your neighbours and tackle crime.

Joining a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme doesn’t have to take up a huge amount of your time. If you’re aware of what’s happening in your area and are happy to talk to your neighbours Neighbourhood Watch could be just the thing for you.

Being a part of Neighbourhood Watch can also mean that you receive regular updates about crimes and appeals. The scheme can also offer some reassurance for example if you’re going away on holiday you may feel confident to know that your neighbours are keeping an eye on your property while you’re away.

Find out more about the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme and how you can get involved.

Join your Community Partnership

There are a number of Community Partnerships operating in Torbay. Community Partnerships are comprised of volunteers. Each group provides an opportunity for local people to understand influence the way in which services are provided in their area.

Community Partnerships can also make practical positive changes in their areas by applying for funding and delivering their own projects and initiatives.

Find out more by visiting the Torbay Council Community Partnership pages. You can also email community.partnerships@torbay.gov.uk.  

Get involved with the Fire and Rescue Service

Community safety isn’t all about crime. Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service work hard to prevent fire and harm in Torbay. To find out how you can become more involved with the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service.

Need help with a community project?

If you’re part of a group that needs manual help delivering a project in the community, you could consider contacting the Community Payback team.

Community Payback is the new name for Community Service and involves offenders carrying out fully supervised, unpaid and challenging work.

To nominate your project for consideration by the Community Payback team visit our Justice pages. Please note that the Community Payback scheme is very popular and there is often a waiting list for local projects.

Special Constables

If you would like to volunteer your time to help your community on a regular basis, you may be interested in finding out about Special Constables.

Volunteer with the Police

If you are interested in volunteering your time to support the police, visit the Devon and Cornwall Police Volunteering with the Police pages.

Support young offenders to change their behaviour

If you are interested in helping young people to change their behaviour you may be interested in becoming a Torbay Youth Offending Team Panel Member. Panel members volunteer their time to work with young offenders, alongside Youth Offending Team staff.  

Young people are referred to a panel by the courts through a Referral Order which can be given to young people aged 10 – 17 years who appear in court for the first time. All volunteers are trained and recruited directly from the local community. To find out more visit the Torbay Council Referral order pages, or telephone 01803 201655.

Police Cadets

Devon and Cornwall Police run a cadet scheme for young people aged between 13 and 18. You can find out more on the Devon and Cornwall Police Cadet pages.

Contact your Councillor

Councillors are locally elected representatives and you can contact them to discuss your issues and concerns. It is important that Councillors know what residents living in their area think about crime and community safety. Please visit the Torbay Council Councillors and Decision pages.

Contact your MP

Members of Parliament (MPs) represent local issues at a national level. There are two elected Members of Parliament responsible for Torbay and they are:

Adrian Saunders- Visit Adrian Sanders Website

Dr Sarah Woolaston- Visit Dr Sarah Woolaston Website