POLICE in Mid Devon stepped up patrols last week in a bid to prevent and detect anti-social behaviour.

Officers in Tiverton, Crediton, Cullompton and surrounding villages spoke to the public about local concerns and visited hotspots where incidents had been reported.

Anti-social behaviour can include nuisance drivers, criminal damage such as graffiti, drunkenness and verbal abuse, drug taking, as well as loud disturbances during the night-time period. These are all actions which can cause intimidation or distress for the community.    

Operation Loki utilises local neighbourhood officers, PCSOs and police volunteers including members of the Special Constabulary, as well as Devon and Cornwall Police force resources such as specialist undercover units, roads policing officers and a Passive Drugs Dog.

The dog visits licensed premises or busy shopping areas and other places with high footfall.

Acting Superintendent John Shuttleworth, who is overseeing the operation in East and Mid Devon this summer, said: “This initiative is designed to tackle anti-social behaviour in various forms. This period of intensification means that residents and holiday makers saw an increased police presence in areas of Mid Devon.

“We want to make sure that the public feel safe and can come to us with any issues of concern they may have. We aim to engage with as many people as possible during the operations and always welcome the community’s views on how we can better serve them.”   

As part of the operation local officers were at Tesco in Cullompton on Tuesday evening (August 8) to speak to shoppers and they also engaged with local people at Morrisons in Crediton on Wednesday morning (August 9) and Crediton Tesco store in the afternoon.

This was an opportunity for the public to meet and talk to the police team and pick up some useful crime prevention advice. Free stickers and colouring pencils were handed out to children.

Several arrests took place across Mid Devon last week and dispersal tactics were used, where necessary, to disrupt ASB.

The Neighbourhood Police Teams in Tiverton, Crediton and Cullompton are led by Inspector Grant Leitch and you can follow their updates on social media. If you prefer to speak to someone in person the Tiverton Police Station Public Enquiry Office at Lowman House, Lowman Green, is open Monday to Saturday 10am to 3pm. It is closed on Sundays and Bank Holidays.

Devon remains one of the safest counties in England and Wales to live, work or visit according to latest ONS data (issued July 2023).