Spare a thought for emergency services as 'PC Rain' takes a holiday

Devon and Cornwalls Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez . Picture: OPCC (Image: Archant)

There is an old adage in policing that PC Rain is the best officer in the world at crime prevention.

For when the heavens open and the only thing worth going equipped with is a brolly, the police radio quietens as criminals seek shelter.

But it isn’t only crime that falls when it’s cold and damp outside; non-crime ‘incidents’ which often require considerable resources – such as missing persons searches - also fall in number.

Unfortunately for Devon and Cornwall Police the reverse is true when the sun comes out, and because of our unique force area we are disproportionately affected.

And with an increased population from April to October comes an increase in calls for help from our public services.

Fire crews have been pleading with people to be more careful as they battle a record number of wildfires – many of them started by discarded cigarettes or disposable barbecues. Between Tuesday and Thursday last week (August 9 to 11) Cornwall Fire Service sent vehicles out to 304 incidents. This compares with just 103 over the same period last year.

And police too are in demand.

Figures from the last few years show how much the holiday season impacts on the police service, with 999 calls increasing by nearly 30 per cent, with an average of 818 calls received each day. On top of that are, on average, 1,861 non emergency 101 calls and 349 e-contacts (messages sent via the website) with reports of 764 incidents per summer day.

This year the number of calls for service is even greater. The number of 999 calls is already frequently in excess of 1,000 a day with similarly high numbers of 101 calls.

We can all do our bit to ensure they are reaching out to the correct service in the first place, and in the right way.

Many calls the police receive are really more appropriately dealt with by other local agencies. Poor parking, fly tipping or noise are examples of issues that councils are sometimes better placed to help with and you can save yourself time by going straight to them. And if you are being pushed from pillar to post then please contact your local councillor who can better understand the problem and liaise with the right services on your behalf.

With a bit of consideration and with the public by their side, the great staff in our contact centres will be able to get more help to those who really need it more quickly. And if you are interested in to be part of the solution and joining their ranks, recruitment is about to reopen for more of these invaluable staff.

Keep safe and enjoy the summer.