Dear Elected Council,

We, the citizens of Torbay, urgently call upon you to address the escalating issue of antisocial behaviour that plagues the streets of Torquay town centre. Visible drug use, drug dealing, and petty crime are severely impacting all who use the town centre—residents and visitors alike.

These ongoing issues are tarnishing the town’s appeal, making it an increasingly unpleasant place to live and a significant deterrent for tourists. As a town that depends heavily on tourism to sustain its economy, this decline in reputation poses a serious threat to local businesses and livelihoods.

Over the past 18 months, the problem has worsened. Incidents of open drug use in stairwells and other public spaces, and even encroachments into private residential areas, have become alarmingly frequent. Discarded drug paraphernalia litters our streets and alleyways, creating significant health and safety risks. Meanwhile, intoxicated individuals are a common sight, further exacerbating the town's deteriorating image and sense of safety.

We implore the Council to take decisive action to restore order, protect our community, and ensure the economic viability of Torquay as an attractive destination for both residents and tourists. To address these issues effectively, we propose the following steps:

Provision of a Safe Space for Drug Use:
Establish a dedicated facility where individuals can use drugs safely. This space should be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and staffed by council-employed drug workers who are directly accountable to the Council.
Access to Mental Health Services:
Provide drug users with access to comprehensive mental health services to help reduce the broader impacts on our community. These services would aim to address the root causes of substance abuse and support recovery.
Implementation of a Zero-Tolerance Policy:
With the provision of the above resources, adopt a zero-tolerance approach to open drug use and drug dealing in public spaces throughout Torbay.
We believe that these measures will result in a safer, cleaner, and more welcoming environment for residents to live, shop, and work, while also making Torquay a more attractive destination for tourists. Furthermore, the funds allocated to the provision of these resources will be more than offset by the economic benefits generated from increased tourism and the revitalization of our town's reputation.