Covert police operations uncover range of offences in Torbay

Police in Torquay are clamping down on drugs and anti-social behaviour in the town centre.

Wanted offenders, shoplifters, and individuals dealing and taking the illegal substances are being targeted.

In response to reports from local communities about drug use and shoplifting from local businesses, a police operation took place earlier this month to identify and pursue offenders and make communities and businesses feel safer.

This operation, which involved plain clothes officers, led to eight arrests and six stop searches.

Police say six of the individuals arrested were wanted for a number of offences, including arson, rape and domestic related fraud. Two people were arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods. All investigations into the individuals are currently ongoing.

The stop searches conducted on the day resulted in five positive seizures of illegal drugs, including spice and cannabis.

Sergeant Greg Bustin, who led one team of police officers involved in the operation, said: “This was a positive operation for the team. Not only did we seize a quantity of illegal drugs, we successfully removed a number of dangerous people from the community who were in hiding in an attempt to avoid arrest.

“I’d like to thank the community for their reports and intelligence. This information enabled us to locate and arrest a wanted offender and is a great example of working together with the community to stand against criminals.”

Inspector Chris Lithgow, who heads up the neighbourhood police officers in Torquay, said: “There is always more we can do, but results like this are encouraging and help us take positive steps towards making Torquay a safer place. We want to send a message out to our communities that we take these offences seriously and are taking proactive action to deter and disrupt these crimes from happening on our streets.

“As a direct message to the people looking to offend in Torquay – our officers will continue to regularly carry out these operations in different locations and at different times of day. Our police officers will be out on the streets of Torquay, whether in uniform or plain clothes, and will be targeting you.”

People with any information about illegal activity happening in their local area are asked to report it to Devon & Cornwall Police. To do this, please visit their website or call 101. In an emergency call 999.

Information can also be passed anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555111, or via their website.