OPERATION Loki is running again in East and Mid Devon this summer and police will be carrying out high visibility patrols to help prevent Anti-Social Behaviour.

The initiative began on Thursday, July 27 in Seaton and has run in Sidmouth, Honiton and Axminster over the last few days. It will continue in Tiverton, Cullompton, Crediton and Exmouth this month.

Local residents and holiday makers will see officers carry out foot patrols, as well as mobile patrols in marked police vehicles during the period of intensification.

They will focus their efforts on specific locations where ASB is a problem or issues have been reported to them.

Inspector Phil Gray, Sector Inspector for Rural East Devon, said: “Over the course of the last few days we were joined by officers from the Devon and Cornwall Police Professional Development Unit, members of the Special Constabulary, colleagues from Roads Policing and the Prevent and Detect Team.

“We also worked with Youth Intervention Officers, homeless outreach staff and some members of the council who form part of the Community Safety Partnership.

“We work with partners to make sure that we reach those people in vulnerable groups who may need extra support.

“We like to engage with as many people as possible of all ages and get feedback on how we can help with any local concerns or priorities.

“We want to keep our communities safe, disrupt incidents of Anti Social Behaviour and make arrests where appropriate. If you see the officers out and about please come and say hello and let us know how we can help you.”

On Thursday night (July 27) officers were in Seaton and nearby villages to tackle issues including anti-social driving which is a local concern for residents. Several vehicles were checked with the help of Automatic Number Plate Recognition systems and three people were also stopped and dealt with for drugs possession. 

On Friday (July 28) police were joined by representatives from Sidmouth Town Council, Gateway Homelessness Action Group, East Devon District Council Community Safety Partnership and other departments including roads policing.

Two vehicles were seized for having no tax, seven motorists were reported for vehicle and document defects and there were several stops for suspected driving whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs resulting in two arrests. Foot patrols took place in areas of anti-social behaviour and at least 30 motorists were detected for speeding through Sidford.

On Saturday, July 29, patrols were stepped up in Honiton and a specialist undercover team arrested someone for driving whilst being unfit through drugs, having no insurance and being in possession of a class B drug. Enquiries found they were also a disqualified driver.

The local neighbourhood police team stopped a motorist for having no insurance and no driving licence and another vehicle was seized as that motorist also had no driving licence. Two people were searched under the Misuse of Drugs Act and a vulnerable person was located and escorted home with the appropriate referrals to support agencies being made.

On Sunday, July 30 police in Axminster searched a motorist and their vehicle which led to cocaine, cannabis, money and mobile phones being seized. An arrest was made for drug driving, possession with intent and possession of an offensive weapon. The car was seized. A separate vehicle was seized after it was discovered the driver had an expired driving licence.

Police Response Officer colleagues in East Devon also had a busy weekend answering 999 calls throughout their shifts.  

Operation Loki was launched in the Spring of this year and was well received by the public.

The partnership initiative focuses on anti-social behaviour which can cause community impact such as anxiety and intimidation for victims.

It can cover many issues such as nuisance drivers, graffiti, drugs use, underage drinking, verbal abuse and anti-social noise levels during the night time period.    

Devon is one of the safest places to live, work and visit in England and Wales according to the latest ONS crime data (issued July 20, 2023).

To keep up-to-date with your Rural East Devon Police team please follow them on Facebook or Twitter.