On Friday the Chief Inspector of Constabulary Andy Cooke discharged Devon & Cornwall Police from concerns about emergency and non-emergency contact.

His team noted that the force has made sustainable improvements, particularly over the busy summer period, with 93.9% of all emergency 999 calls answered within the national threshold of 10 seconds and 93.4% of other 101 contact (email and digital demand) answered within 24 hours.

This is a significant step change for the force. The challenges in dealing with calls to the 101 non-emergency and 999 emergency call lines have blighted policing for many years and started well before I was elected to this office eight years ago.

Various attempts have been made to tackle this challenge, and I have supported a significant investment in people and technology to make the improvements necessary to improve this vital service to the public.  This time strong leadership and a hands-on approach to fixing what was wrong has made the difference. The force's call handlers continue to work under immense pressure and I know many callers are grateful for their professionalism and expertise.

The inspectorate’s findings are supported by a reduction in the number of complaints my office has received about contact. In the 12 months to September 2024 we received just five pieces of correspondence related to 101 wait times, compared to around 60 in the previous year.

I know - because you tell me – that delays in getting through to officers and staff really affects how you feel about the force. And I know from firsthand experience how frustrating this can be.

It’s why in my first two police and crime plans my ambition to create a force which is more connected to the communities it serves was a clear ambition – and I intend to maintain that in my third term.

My third police and crime plan, which sets the strategic direction for the force and the services I commission, is being developed now.

Antisocial behaviour, drugs, violence and road safety are key concerns, and these are reflected in the plan. In addition, for the first time I want a focus on tackling theft, alcohol-related crime and rural crime.

This is because recent recorded crime figures show there has been a significant spike in acquisitive crime. Shoplifting has increased, and there is evidence that serious and organised criminal gangs are targeting agricultural equipment and selling it overseas.

Such theft increases the feeling of lawlessness in our communities and hits the businesses we all depend on.

The draft plan sets out my overarching priority of improving policing services and describes how I intend to measure performance.

Now I am asking residents of the force area to give me their feedback on the draft plan by completing short online. Partners such as those involved in Community Safety Partnerships and organisations who provide services to victims are also being asked to give their views.

It is my duty to be the voice of the public in policing and bring to the table their concerns as we plan what policing should look like.

For many years people have told me they want a more connected and visible police force, and one which focuses on the things that make them feel unsafe, such as antisocial behaviour, dangerous driving, drugs and alcohol. We have responded by establishing a road safety partnership and investing heavily to bolster police numbers and reopen police enquiry offices in 13 communities.

You can have your say by completing the survey at https://bit.ly/3BhjTxT by midnight on Sunday, October 27.