Devon and Cornwall Police want to introduce community safety zones in four Cornish areas where crime is concentrated near pubs and clubs. These areas see violent disorder, anti-social behaviour and sexual offences.
The police suggested pursuing community safety zones with Cornwall Council. This was discussed at a licensing committee meeting yesterday, Thursday, September 3. Councillors unanimously agreed to renew Cumulative Impact Assessments (CIA) in Newquay, Truro, Falmouth and Penzance.
CIAs are areas where the council has determined that the impact of a concentration of licensed premises is having a serious detrimental impact upon the prevention of crime, disorder and public nuisance. There is a risk that crime and disorder may increase in the cumulative impact areas if the policies are not in place.
The assessments are required to be reviewed at least every three years to determine whether they should be maintained, amended or removed. However, the meeting was told that due to a delay in the evidence being submitted by the police, the assessments were not reviewed within the three-year period in accordance with the legislation and had therefore lapsed.
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The Licensing Act committee agreed to renew the four CIAs in Cornwall following a forthcoming period of public consultation. The assessments mean that premises licence applications which are likely to add to the existing impact in an area will normally be refused or be subject to certain limitations, unless the applicant can demonstrate that there will be no negative impact on the licensing objectives.
The police indicated that they support the council exploring a future transition to Community Safety Zones, which is "a more proactive partnership-based approach that focuses on managing risks through partnership, operator responsibility and safety initiatives rather than relying on a presumption to refuse new licences through Cumulative Impact Assessment policies". The police noted that the Community Safety Zones approach supports the economy while maintaining safety but moves away from "a negative presumption of refusal with Cumulative Impact policies".
The licensing committee agreed to discuss the possibility of moving to Community Safety Zones at a future meeting.
Newquay's CIA contains Narrowcliff, Trelawney and Chynance Drive, Newquay town centre, Fistral and Headland and Tretherras. Truro's CIA contains Truro South, Newham and Arch Hill, Redannick and Daniel Street, Truro city centre, Station Road, Lys Kernow (County Hall) and Chapel Hill, Hendra and Coosebean and Kenwyn Higher Trehaverne.
Falmouth's CIA contains Falmouth Docks, the seafront and maritime museum, Falmouth Church, Arwenack Street and Clare Terrace, Arwenack Avenue, Melvill Road and Boscawen Road, Lister Street, Western Terrace and Penmere, High Street and Trevethan Road, The Moor, Killigrew Street and Kimberley Park, and Tregenver and Trescobeas.
Penzance's CIA contains Alverton, St Clare and town, Chyandor and Eastern Green, Treneere, Battlefields, Wharfside and town, Wherrytown, Penzance Promenade, Newlyn West, and Newlyn Harbour and Gwavas.
The CIA areas with high levels of cumulative vulnerability and recorded crime:
The Moor, High Street and Trevethan Road as well as the Falmouth Church area and Arwenack Street. These areas have above average rates of recorded crime, including sexual offences and violence with injury as well as higher rates of anti-social behaviour incidents.
Wharfside, St Clare and town centre. These areas have high levels of recorded crime, including sexual offences, violence with injury and hate crime as well as higher rates of anti-social behaviour incidents. The areas also have high rates of residents engaged with drugs and domestic abuse services.
The city centre area including River Street, Victoria Gardens and areas around Truro Cathedral and Truro Health Park. These areas have high levels of recorded crime, including sexual offences, violence with injury and hate crime as well as higher rates of anti-social behaviour incidents. The areas also have high rates of residents engaged with drugs and domestic abuse services.
Town centre and Narrowcliff areas. They both have high levels of police recorded crime including sexual offences, violence with injury and hate crime as well as higher rates of anti-social behaviour incidents. The areas also have high rates of residents engaged with drugs and domestic abuse services.
Data from the police shows the incidents and types of crime recorded in the towns' CIA. In 2025/26, there were 317 crimes recorded in the Newquay CIA (255 violent crimes, eight cases of drunkenness, 83 public order offences, 14 robberies and 11 sexual offences). In Truro, the overall figure was 328 crimes (219 violent crimes, seven cases of drunkenness, 91 public order offences, four robberies and seven sexual offences).
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