Second Home Council Tax rises to fund police patrols in Devon and Cornwall | Police

Funds raised by increasing council tax bills for second home owners in Cornwall and Devon are to be used to increase police patrols across the two counties.

Devon and Cornwall Police could receive up to £6m when local authorities in their region double holiday tax rates from April.

The Police and Crime Commissioner for the Counties, Alison Hernandez, said she planned to use some of the money to increase patrols, install additional CCTV and get officers out of “backroom jobs” that could be done by others.

Hernandez said: “With its high proportion of holiday homes, the force is one of the main beneficiaries of a decision by councils to double council tax rates for holiday homes.

“I can use some of the extra income to expand my Street Focus project and maintain high visibility patrols in communities across Devon and Cornwall.”

The police and the crime commissioner’s office believe the force is in line to receive approximately £6m.

The Street Focus scheme was trialled in Torquay and aims to tackle anti-social behavior and drug dealing.

Hernandez said 13,016 targeted foot patrols took place between May and November 2024 as part of the project. Officers on these patrols made 70 arrests.

She said: “We know that when people see officers in their communities and engage with them, their trust in the police improves. I also plan to invest in keeping people safe with money set aside for additional CCTV, night buses and street marshals. And I will use the funds to keep sworn officers out of back office roles that can—and should—be done by civilians.”

The issue of how to spend the extra money raised by increasing council tax bills has been controversial. Alone in Cornwall, around £25m expected to be raised.

Some people want the money to be used to improve housing for residents, but Cornwall Council is expected to use it to strengthen local services. In Devon there is concern that much of it will be spent on roads.

That’s around £430 million required for policing in Devon and Cornwall in 2025-26 – up from £406.5m. for 2024-25. The financing consists of municipal tax regulations and a state subsidy. In the current financial year, 12% of municipal tax went to the police.