Police to keep summer watch on Dartmoor

Devon and Cornwall Police is teaming up with partner agencies to tackle crime across Dartmoor over Easter and throughout the summer.

Local officers will be running Moorwatch, a multi-agency operation which aims to prevent and disrupt criminals operating in isolated rural areas, particularly at car park and beauty spots surrounding the national park.

The moor historically sees a seasonal rise in crime in the summer months with an influx of visitors to the region.

The operation will see dedicated regular high-visibility patrols mounted by neighbourhood policing teams to tackle a range of rural crimes common to the moorland.

They include thefts from vehicles, livestock theft, the antisocial use of vehicles, wildlife crime, theft of farm equipment and machinery, and fly-tipping, plus road safety issues.

Sergeant William Young, based at Ashburton, said: “Rural crime is a priority that we are working hard to address. Although crime on the moor is relatively low in comparison to other parts of the country, the types of crime are very specific.

“Tourists flock to the area in the summer and are vulnerable to car crime as they often leave vehicles in remote spots. Vehicle crime isn’t the only problem on the moor which also suffers from a range of crimes such as the theft of animals and farm equipment and fly tipping.

“We will be maximising our visibility and presence with dedicated, targeted regular patrols of the area. By working with partner agencies we can maximise intelligence and increase our eyes and ears at vulnerable spots on Dartmoor.”

Police officers will be working closely with Dartmoor National Park Authority and other partner agencies to educate visitors as well as enforce the message that Dartmoor is not a place for criminals.

Sergeant Young added: “We will be reminding visitors to protect their property by removing valuables from their vehicles and asking them to be vigilant when enjoying the natural beauty of the region.

“We would like to encourage users of the moor to report suspicious activity or incidents promptly to maximise our ability to deal with it effectively. When crime is reported we would like to assure people that we will do everything within our power to effectively bring offenders to justice.”