DaCCWA has been working closely with the Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner and Devon & Cornwall Police for many years.

A number of our Watches are run in partnership with specific Police teams and new Watches devised and launched to give communities a focused network of support, guidance and information.

“The role of DaCCWA embodies the role of policing in that the public are the police and the police are the public. Furthermore, we pride ourselves that in Devon and Cornwall we retain and nurture the notions of good citizenship and an inclusive society, where safety and combining our resources together is the obligation of all of us for the benefit of all. Of course, in the 21^st Century this has developed into awareness, not only in the physical space but also the digital space.

Our awareness of safety relates not only to the prevention and detection of crime but also the safeguarding of a civil society and the need to watch out for some of the most vulnerable. That concept of vulnerability can affect any person at any time and is not solely related to the very young or those who are infirm. The exploiters approach is often insidious, built through friendships and trust, and can occur in what appear to be very transparent relationships yet result in abuse, ranging from physical and sexual harm but also fraud from personal bank accounts of an unprecedented magnitude.

DaCCWA is as relevant in the 21^st Century as it has ever been. It stands on the foundations of all that is good in our society and its values are true. Its purpose, which seek to inspire stronger and more resilient communities capable of dealing with the threat from crime or natural disaster, is essential to me as Chief Constable and hopefully to you as well.”

Shaun Sawyer, Chief Constable of Devon & Cornwall Police

"In the first few months of my term it became apparent to me that people all too often felt disconnected with the organisations that were there to serve them.

My first Police and Crime Plan, which was written after an extensive consultation with communities in Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, placed connectivity at its heart.

By working together, with police, councils, charities and each other, we can build stronger, more resilient communities.

Organisations like the Devon and Cornwall Community Watch Association share and promote values of good citizenship, community safety and public participation in the prevention and detection of crime.

The Devon and Cornwall Police force area is the largest in England and varied in its composition of villages, towns, cities and rural areas. The force area is now among the safest in England and Wales. Our police force has not achieved that in isolation. Hard-working and community-minded volunteers have played a vital role.

I am proud to support community watch, would urge others to get involved and look forward to seeing it continue to flourish so our wonderful part of the world becomes even safer." 

Alison Hernandez, Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly