Turning the tides on coastal crime in South Devon

Officers from Devon & Cornwall Police in South Devon are working alongside local communities and other agencies to make people aware of coastal crime.

Highlighting the signs to look out for and advising on how to report it in a bid to keep people safe. Coastal crime is anything that has an impact on, or happens around, our coasts and borders. Types of water-based crime include theft, smuggling and criminal damage.

Chief Inspector Miranda Pusey said: “We are lucky enough to be surrounded by some beautiful coastal areas, with many boat ports, marinas and docks across South Devon. But with these locations, it also presents an opportunity for people who are looking to commit crime in our waters and surrounding towns.

“A really effective way to take a stand against coastal crime is through education, which is why we’re reaching out to our communities. We do know that education alone isn’t the answer; so our officers, who are trained to spot the signs of costal crime, will be conducting regular patrols along coastal areas of South Devon to safeguard and reassure local communities. We are also working closely with partners, like the harbourmasters, to make sure we have a robust plan in place to make our waters an uncomfortable place for people who are looking to commit crime, deterring them from both land and sea.”

Some of the common things to look out for, which may be a sign of criminal or terrorist activity on our waters, include:

• avoiding answering common boating questions, deliberately avoiding contact with other people, or drawing attention to themselves
• putting objects into the water near bridges, pipes, or infrastructure
• making large cash payments, or asking for daily extensions of marina or port mooring
• buying or transporting unusual equipment, chemicals, uniforms, or identification
• making attempts to signal or guide boats offshore

Other possible signs to look out for can include:

• unusual vessels in a marina, or someone who seems to be testing the security of a marina or restricted area to see if they’re challenged
• suspicious charter vessels or rental boats
• vehicles parked in isolated places along waterways
• boats unloading people who look scared or suspicious
• boats unloading packages

Chief Inspector Pusey continued: “It’s important that if you see something that doesn’t look or feel right that you report it. Your information might help us stop an offence from taking place and prevent people from becoming victims of crime. Over summer, we see an increase of holiday-makers visiting our towns, so by working together, we can all play an essential part in keeping everyone safe.”

If you suspect a possible coastal crime taking place, call the Coastal Crime Line on 0800 011 3304 and quote 'Project Kraken'. Project Kraken is a national initiative which aims to raise awareness of terrorism and criminal or suspicious activity around our coasts. To read more, visit the Devon & Cornwall Police website.

If you suspect possible terrorist activity taking place make sure to report it online, or on the Anti-Terrorist Hotline 0800 789 321, or if you suspect an immediate danger, move away and call 999.

Or you can report your information online with 100% anonymity by filling out a form on the Crimestoppers website, or by calling 0800 011 3304 for free.