·         The Safer Summer Scheme, was funded by the Police Crime Commissioners Office and Devon County Council

·         It had been in operation in Croyde and Woolacombe ensuring visitors were as safe as possible over the summer months

·         The Beach Marshalls employed from a Security Firm based in South Molton were providing safety guidance on Covid-19 matters as well as being a visible presence on the beaches reassuring the public

·         The two Marshalls were employed for 49 hours a week, were first aid trained and able to dissipate anti-social behaviour

·         The scheme ran from the end of July 2020 to the end of September 2020

·         The beaches were privately owned so access to the beaches had to be sought from the owners.  Park Dean owners of Croyde beach were very receptive to the scheme

·         Daily meetings with the Police, North Devon Council Officer, beach rangers and Parish Clerk attended to discuss issues arising and share information

·         Issues with street traders, in particular a henna tattooist raised concerns over Covid-19 safety and was addressed quickly

·         A lessons learnt and findings report was being drafted for the Crime Commissioners Office.  The biggest frustration found was the limitations of power that the Marshalls had. 

·         This was highlighted by the gridlocking of Woolacombe due to high numbers of visitors.  Locals were distressed by parking issues and the Marshalls were powerless to help. 

·         Being in a high vis vest meant the public expectation was that the Marshalls were there to act on the requests for action from locals

·         Devon County Council had not provided the assistance necessary to alleviate the parking issue

·         Overall the scheme worked very well and the collaboration with the private sector had been successful

·         If the funding were available it would be good to run a similar scheme next summer, albeit not necessarily related to Covid-19 secure safety measures

·         Praise from the public had  been received in relation to the helpful Marshalls working on the beaches

·         A new anti-social behaviour working group had been formed and met for the first time.  This was a multi-agency group that had been created due to the rising numbers of homeless or street attached people drinking on the streets in Barnstaple

·         Representatives from the charities Encompass and the Freedom Centre were helping

·         If any members wished to be involved were invited to contact the Community Protection Officer

·         The Community Safety Partnership had received funding from the Police Crime Commissioners Office through the Safer Town Scheme to help tackle issues with homelessness and in particular street begging

·         The £5000 received was to be used to install pay points where members of the public could donate cash using a debit card as an alternative to giving cash to people on the street

·         It was hoped three machines would be installed at three locations in Barnstaple; in the Pannier Market, Green Lanes shopping centre and in the High Street

·         Local charities Encompass and the Freedom Centre would benefit from the donations.  These charities were working with the homeless population

·         The installation of pay points for members of the public to use to donate to homeless charities was already in operation in Bristol

·         A fact finding mission had been undertaken and it was discovered that £40,000 had been donated to local homeless charities

·         Video shorts were being created by representatives from the local homeless charities highlighting the harm caused from substance abuse as a result of cash being given to people on the street

The Community Protection Officer gave the following responses to questions asked: