Operations Town Centres and Brighter Bay improved safety and public areas. More funding will expand these initiatives in 2025.
Operation Town Centres worked with police and the Crime Commissioner. They introduced public space orders, and SWISCo helped improve town areas. They shared the work of council teams that included town center officers, CCTV, anti-social behavior units, and street marshals. These teams help keep people safe.
Over 390 orders were given covering alcohol in Torquay and Paignton towns. Over 60 dispersal orders occurred across both towns. CCTV helped keep town centers safer, and more cameras got installed across the Bay. The team helped police stop crime.
Recently, CCTV spotted two men linked to thefts, and police stopped them, seizing stolen goods worth over £1,100. The men will be in court in March. Operation Town Centre will have more funds, enforcement will broaden its work, CCTV operations get better, and a new town centers manager will start.
Operation Brighter Bay improved public spaces, hoping people noticed the changes. Grass cutting increased a lot, and verges, main routes, and parks got mowed. Weed control also got increased, with extra staff tackling weeds every week. More flowers got planted everywhere, including beds and planters.
SWISCo got new funds and improved road surfaces, repainting yellow and white lines. Potholes remain a big problem, but SWISCo fixed 20% more potholes. Operation Brighter Bay helped Brixham, and the street team got more help, working five to seven days weekly, depending on the time of year.
This year’s budget increased funding for both operations, which will keep improving roads in 2025. More grass cutting will occur, and they will target weeds and road markings. Crews plan to clean town centers, too, and pothole repair remains essential.
Many groups are crucial for success, including community groups and volunteers and Friends of Parks groups. People want the area to look good, and everyone can contribute to this goal.