Devon & Cornwall Police Handle 60 Protests Monthly

Devon and Cornwall Police are facing a significant increase in community unrest, handling approximately 60 protests each month. Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez informed a panel that while many protests are small, substantial tactical planning is required for larger demonstrations. This surge in unrest coincides with a worrying rise in hate crime across both counties for the second consecutive year.

From August 2024 to August 2025, a total of 2,354 hate crimes were recorded. Notably, racial hate crime saw a substantial increase of 9.4%, equating to 114 additional crimes. Panel members from Plymouth called for enhanced engagement with local city councillors, who possess valuable area-specific knowledge. Hernandez acknowledged the input, suggesting that not all protests may necessitate the same level of police management.