Dartmoor Rural Crime Initiative
Devon & Cornwall Police and Dartmoor National Park Authority are working closely with partners through the Dartmoor Rural Crime Initiative, an arrangement which was formally adopted on 25 October 2019.
A working group brought together by the partnership arrangement is focussing on issues that have been identified as areas of concern by local communities.
These are reducing antisocial behaviour and increasing safety around illegal raves, reducing incidents of speeding where animals are injured or killed, general road safety on the moor and fly tipping.
Rural Affairs officer PC Martin Beck said: “We are working together to take an enforcement and education approach as well as making sure people know where they can report these issues.”
“The partnership provides a collaborative approach to deal with a number of issues affecting communities living, working and visiting the park. The partnership will look to encourage coordination of resources and the effective use of legal powers and intelligence of each partner organisation to address common priorities.”
The group comprises of Devon & Cornwall Police, Dartmoor National Park Authority, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, Environment Agency, Forestry England, Duchy Estates, South West Lakes Trust, Devon and Somerset Trading Standards, Teignbridge and West Devon District Councils, Devon Highways, Devon and Somerset Fire Rescue Service, Dartmoor Livestock Protection Society, Dartmoor Commoners Council and the Angling Trust.
PC Beck continued: “We know that by working together we are stronger. A more coordinated approach to tackle issues on Dartmoor is an excellent example how we can improve public confidence on the issues which affect the communities in the Dartmoor national park area.”
Alison Hernandez, Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, said: “The ethos of working together to create safer communities cuts to the heart of my police and crime plan. That’s why I am delighted to be supporting this collaborative work to assist communities that are remote and rural.
“Dartmoor is a unique asset for the South West and preserving it as a wonderful place to live, work and visit will remain high on my list of priorities.”
Dartmoor National Park Authority Chair Pamela Woods said: “We are delighted to be working together through the Dartmoor Rural Crime Initiative to help prevent and reduce crime and anti-social behaviour.
“Incidents of fly tipping, speeding and illegal gatherings threaten people’s livelihoods, the moor’s fragile landscape and the animals within it. Behind every crime lies emotional, ecological and economical damage and is a real cost to us all in public money.
“Everyone has a part to play in reducing crime on Dartmoor. This joined-up partnership complements the successful Ranger Code which we have in place to encourage people to ‘Love Moor Life’. We would urge people to follow our ‘Ranger Code’ and take simple but effective steps to keep Dartmoor safe, special and accessible for all.”
Devon and Cornwall Neighbourhood Policing Lead, Inspector Rob Bolt added: “The formal launch of the Dartmoor Rural Crime Initiative is an important mile stone for the Force’s new Rural Policing Strategy, which we launched at the beginning of the year. It provides an exciting opportunity to work in partnership to resolve issues impacting on the Moor, these will then form a plan of preventative activity which will then be rolled out across the Force. This builds on the lessons learnt from the existing Exmoor Rural Crime Initiative and will work with our other new partnership on Bodmin Moor.”
Assistant Chief Constable Paul Davies said: “This rural crime partnership is a great example of how Devon and Cornwall Police are looking to work with others so that we can tackle issues effecting rural communities which we can struggle to engage with. Through working together we can create innovative, sustainable solutions which we are unable to deliver on our own.”
Dartmoor Rangers: www.dartmoor.gov.uk/enjoy-dartmoor/dartmoor-rangers
Love Moor Life: www.dartmoor.gov.uk/enjoy-dartmoor/love-moor-life
Rural Crime, Devon & Cornwall Police: www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/advice/your-community/stop-rural-crime
Rural Crime, PCC approach: www.devonandcornwall-pcc.gov.uk/plan-and-performance/delivery/pccs-approach-to-rural-crime
