1. MAJOR INCIDENTS AND POLICING DIARY

Murder/attempted murder

1.1 Murder of Eric Hingston –

Audrey Hingston, aged 81, was arrested on 7 October and has been charged with the murder of her husband, Eric.

1.2 Serious assault - Falmouth

Police and ambulance were called to an address in Falmouth during the early hours of 11 October because a man had stopped breathing and had no pulse. He was revived by ambulance staff and taken to Royal Hospital.

A man was arrested later the same day and charged with attempted murder. During the early hours of 17 October, the victim died and the offence was changed to murder.

1.3 Operation Teal - murder enquiry,

On 20 October, a 38-year-old man was charged with the murder of Eileen Walsh in her home on 6 September.

1.4 Operation Patina – murder enquiry near

On 16 November, a 39-year-old man was charged with the murder of teenager Alicia Eborne, who had been missing for several days. A major search and investigation had been undertaken.

1.5 Murder in – Operation Lambeth

A member of the public reported seeing an elderly female lying on the floor at Bretonside bus station at 6am on 18 October. Police attended and found the woman was dead. She was identified as Florence Seccombe, who was killed by a single knife wound.

A major enquiry room has been established at Crownhill police station and the investigation continues.

1.6 Murder – near – Operation Rowan

At 08.48am on 6 November, officers attended the report of a body found at Perch Garage on the A39 near Wadebridge.

A second body was found inside the bungalow at the garage. The victims were Carol and Graham Fisher, who ran the petrol station. An incident room has been set up at police station and the investigation is ongoing.

1 A 42-year-old man was arrested in North and a 28-year-old man in . Both have been bailed for one month.

1.7 Murder – Delabole - Operation York

A missing person’s report was received at 5.55pm on 8 November, expressing concern for Joan Roddam, a 74-year-old woman who lived alone in Delabole.

At 9.20pm the same day, police found her body in a field behind her house. An investigation is underway.

1.8 Murder – Stoke Woods

Police attended the area of Stoke Woods in Exeter on 13 November following a report of a female with a head wound. A 69-year-old woman was found dead at the scene. A member of the public and a traffic warden detained a 66 year- old man nearby. He was arrested and later charged with murder. The victim and suspect were husband and wife from .

1.9 Major challenges

Pressures within the constabulary have been at an all time great recently, with the Force dealing with a number of active murder enquiries and eight other major incidents. With over 200 staff committed to these incidents, Force resources have been stretched. We have coped exceptionally well with these challenges and neighbourhood policing has not been affected.

Suicide

1.10 Attempt suicide -

A man was seen standing at the edge of the NCP car park on the morning of 5 October. Two officers in plain-clothes attended and were able to talk the man away from the edge.

He was arrested after resisting the officers, using a knife. One officer received cuts to his hands while removing the knife and defending himself.

The man was a suspect for a previous offence and has been charged with kidnap and indecent assault.

1.11 Sudden death - Plymouth

The body of a 45-year-old woman was found at an address in Plymouth at 4am on 6 October. An inquest has yet to report on the cause of death.

2 1.12 Suicide - Higher Ashton, near Exeter

On 19 November, the body of a female was found by police officers at the base of Belvedere Tower, Higher Ashton, near Exeter. An examination of the scene found the circumstances and injuries consistent with a fall.

Assault on police/injury to officers

1.13 Injury to officer – Paignton

Police executed a warrant under the Misuse of Drugs Act at an address in Paignton on 15 October. During the search, a police officer sustained a puncture wound from a hypodermic needle. He attended Torbay Hospital for treatment.

1.14 Assault on police -

On 18 October, a man was arrested in connection with a road traffic collision at Tolgus Mount, Redruth.

The driver became violent when asked to give a roadside breath test. On arrest he started struggling violently and bit an officer on the outer thigh. The officer was taken to Treliske Hospital at Truro for treatment.

1.15 Ram raid – Tiverton

Two constables were on patrol at 4am on 3 November when they saw suspicious activity at a service station in the town. They confronted three men who were leaving the premises and a struggle ensued. The officers were assaulted with a wheel brace and an iron bar before the offenders escaped in a car.

The constables sustained cuts and bruises but were not seriously hurt. A registration number for the vehicle was obtained but it was established that the car was stolen. It is thought that the incident is linked to a series of ram raids and enquiries are ongoing.

1.16 Injury to police officer -

A constable was assaulted while dealing with a domestic incident outside a Newton Abbot nightclub and she sustained a fractured ankle and a black eye.

Four men were arrested in connection with the incident, which happened in the early hours of 8 November. Three were charged, including one for Section 18 wounding and another for indecent assault as well as charges for escaping/assisting escape from lawful custody. A fourth has been bailed.

3 1.17 Assaults on officers

It is pleasing to report that the number of assaults on our officers has reduced. In the period October 2001 to September 2002, there were 262 reported assaults. In the corresponding period for 2002/2003, 251 assaults were reported, which is a 4.9% reduction.

Firearms

1.18 Firearms incident -Exeter

Police received a report on 23 October that a man had attempted to strangle his partner and had threatened her with an air rifle. On a previous occasion the man had assaulted police officers called to deal with a dispute. Armed officers were deployed along with negotiators and the man was called out of his address and arrested. He was charged with ‘assault, occasioning actual bodily harm’.

1.19 Air rifle incidents - Tiverton

Two children were struck by air gun pellets in the Armory Park area during the afternoon of 1 November. An 11-year-old girl suffered minor bruising and a 12-year-old boy had a pellet lodged in his neck, which had to be removed at hospital under anaesthetic.

Local officers arrested a 14-year-old boy who had been firing his air rifle from his bedroom window. The weapon was seized.

1.20 Firearms incident – – Operation Polka

A Ministry of Defence Police member of staff reported an incident on 5 November of a man who was holding a firearm. Police units, including firearms officers, contained the building and negotiations continued.

The male was found dead inside the premises the following morning. A full investigation is ongoing.

Burglary

1.21 Burglary and pursuit - Exeter

A report was received on 30 October about a burglary in progress at Bridge Motorcycles, Marsh Barton. The offender's vehicle was found on the outskirts of Exeter with the help of the county council’s CCTV system.

A pursuit ensued along the northbound carriageway of the M5, involving units from the traffic department and the Force helicopter. The vehicle’s rear windscreen had been broken and items of motorcycle clothing were thrown out, causing minor damage to police vehicles.

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The occupants of the vehicle brandished a large carving knife and threw it at one of the traffic vehicles, cracking the windscreen. With assistance from Avon and Somerset traffic department, a TPAC resolution was declared and executed by the units. The vehicle was stopped.

All three Devon and Cornwall traffic units sustained minor damage but no injuries were reported. The stolen items included a number of leather motorcycle suits valued at several thousand pounds. Items thrown from the vehicle onto the carriageway were also recovered.

Three males from the Bristol area were charged with burglary.

Robbery

1.22 Robbery - Plymouth

A panic alarm was activated at Morley Service Station in in the early hours of 31 October. An offender, wearing a balaclava, had brandished knives at the attendant and stolen a quantity of cigarettes.

A dog unit saw a suspicious van drive from the scene and a stop check found property that matched the stolen goods. The male driver was disqualified and provided a positive breath specimen.

A 28-year-old man from Plymouth has been charged with robbery, driving while disqualified and driving with excess alcohol.

1.23 Robbery -

At 1.24am on 7 November, officers were called to a robbery in Vicarage Street, Barnstaple. An 18-year-old female was found on the ground and her handbag had been stolen. Two offenders made off but her handbag was found after a search.

Arson

1.24 Fire at Webbs Hotel -

Emergency services were called to a large fire at Webbs Hotel, Liskeard, at about 1am on 5 October. Six fire pumps attended and the blaze was quickly brought under control.

A number of juveniles have been charged with arson at the building, which has stood empty for many years.

5 1.25 House fires - Plymouth

Police and fire crews responded to a report of a house fire in Alexandra Road, Plymouth, around 3.30am on 16 October and found two premises on fire.

Police rescued one elderly occupant from one of the burning homes before the fire service arrived. No injuries were sustained in the incident.

A 34-year-old local man was arrested nearby and has been charged with arson with intent to endanger life.

Road traffic collisions

1.26 RTC - Haldon Hill, A38

A coach caught fire on the Plymouth-bound carriageway near to Haldon Racecourse at 5.25pm on 30 September.

A HGV driver stopped to help the coach driver and their prompt actions prevented any serious injuries. Only one passenger sustained minor burns to her hand. Three fire engines attended and the road was blocked for an-hour- and-a-half.

1.27 Fatal RTC - Truro

A vehicle was in collision with a 67-year-old woman pedestrian in Sainsbury's car park on 4 October. She was taken to Treliske Hospital where she was pronounced dead. An investigation is ongoing.

1.28 Fatal RTC - Plymouth

A two-vehicle RTC occurred in Alma Road, Plymouth, on 14 October. A Ford Sierra driven by an 81-year-old local man mounted the central reservation and crashed through the pedestrian barriers, before colliding head-on with a Peugeot travelling in the opposite direction.

British Transport Police administered CPR to the Sierra driver at the scene but he died later at Derriford Hospital. He had suffered a heart attack while driving. No one else sustained serious injuries.

1.29 Fatal RTC - Liskeard

A single vehicle RTC happened on the A390, Hendra Park, on 25 October, when a Ford Escort, being driven by a 19-year-old local man, failed to negotiate a right-hand bend and left the road.

6 The driver was killed and his three passengers suffered serious, but not life- threatening, injuries and were detained at Derriford Hospital. Two had chest injuries and were kept in intensive care while the third suffered spinal injuries.

Other

1.30 Farmers’ demonstration -

Up to 60 local farmers gathered outside the Dairy Crest factory on 2 October to protest about the price farmers are paid for milk.

Determined attempts were made to block access to the premises during the five-hour demonstration. Thirty-five officers were deployed from South and BCU, supported by TAG. Deliveries to and from the premises were maintained and no arrests or injuries occurred.

A further demonstration took place on 12 October when the number of protestors rose rapidly to 150 and entrances to the factory were blocked with tractors and trailers. Police were deployed from other stations in South and West Devon BCU. At 4.30pm, the protestors dispersed after a statement from Dairy Crest agreeing to meet with farmers’ representatives about milk prices.

1.31 Operation Octennial – arrests

A van connected with the Trident Ploughshares Peace Camp was stop-checked in Ham Drive, Plymouth, at 6.50am on 3 October.

Seven females, whose ages ranged up to 71, were found chained together in apparent preparation for a "lock on" protest at the naval base. They and three companions were arrested on suspicion of conspiring to cause a public nuisance. Four members of the group have had no further action taken and six have been released on police bail pending enquiries.

1.32 Fractured gas main – Stoke Climsland

Contractors fractured a main gas supply pipe at Stoke Climsland Primary School, , Cornwall, on 7 October. The pipeline is the main supply to North Cornwall. The school was evacuated to nearby Duchy College and there were no injuries.

A number of nearby addresses were also evacuated. However, all residents returned to their homes soon after.

1.33 Missing person - Kirsty Blakey

Torquay police located a missing person of national interest, 14-year-old Kirsty Blakey, at about 11pm on 28 October. Her partner John Wayne Marshall was arrested. Devon and Cornwall Police officers escorted Kirsty back to Lincoln.

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1.34 Countryside Alliance rally -

Around 8,000 people attended a pro-hunting rally at Honiton Showground on 1 November. Local officers, TAG, traffic and traffic wardens were deployed in a pre-planned operation. Traffic disruption was kept to a minimum and the rally passed peacefully.

1.35 Male doused in petrol - Plymouth

At 4.20am on 16 November, police received a call that a man had doused himself in petrol on the forecourt of a garage in Plymouth and was threatening to light it. The man made threats to use petrol pumps and 'torch' the whole garage. Despite repeated attempts to negotiate, he refused and when an opportunity arose officers moved in and restrained him. He was taken to Charles Cross police station and has been charged with arson and endangering life.

1.36 Suspect package - Tamar Bridge

A member of Tamar Bridge staff reported finding a suspect package near the north cantilever of the Tamar Bridge on 18 November. Police attended and closed the bridge in both directions pending the arrival of the EOD. They carried out a controlled explosion and found the device to be a hoax. The incident caused severe traffic congestion as the bridge was closed for three hours.

1.37 Anti war march - Exeter

Around 200 people took part in a "stop the war" march in Exeter city centre between 5pm and 7pm on 19 November. The protest was peaceful with only minor disruption caused to traffic as the march went towards Exe Bridges. Local officers supported by traffic wardens policed the march.

1.38 Use of force

On occasions, officers have to use force in order to control a situation. This is only used where absolutely necessary and in the interests of public safety. When compared to the year 2001/2002, the number of times officers have used CS Spray or a Baton has reduced. In 2002/2003, there was a 7.7% reduction in the use of the baton and a 16.1% drop in the use of CS Spray.

Court successes

1.39 Jail after Ecstacy supply

A man was arrested after trying to supply drugs to a plain-clothed officer. Truro Crown Court also heard that drug paraphernalia was found at his house

8 and he was sentenced to three years in jail. One of his runners also received a two-year sentence.

1.40 Jailed dealer’s bike is seized

A Plymouth drug dealer received four years in prison and the motorcycle he used to sell drugs was seized. At the city’s crown court, Judge Taylor also ordered the seizure of £290 in cash he was holding when arrested and that the proceeds of both be put towards the police fight against drugs.

9 2 OPERATIONAL PRIORITIES

2.1 Crime statistics delight police

Police in Devon and Cornwall have a better crime-fighting record than many other Forces. Figures released by the Home Office in October show Devon & Cornwall Constabulary is judged above average in five key areas (reducing crime, promoting public safety, investigating crime, resource usage and public satisfaction). They were also favourable when compared to Forces regarded as similar by the Home Office – also known as Family Forces. In respect of detection rates, The Times reported that three quarters of police forces in England and Wales solved a lower number of crimes during 2002/2003 than the previous year. The national detection rate is 24%. This means there are a huge number of crimes going unresolved.

However, it was reported that four Forces have an outstanding record with above average performances in all categories. These are Devon & Cornwall, Cumbria, Suffolk and Northumbria.

2.2 Remembrance service

Devon and Cornwall police officers and firefighters held a remembrance service at police headquarters in memory of those colleagues who died in the September 11th terrorist attacks. An American oak tree was dedicated to those who perished and was paid for by Middlemoor staff who were working on the day of the atrocities.

2.3 DNA hits lead to arrests

Police executed a series of raids across Torbay after securing positive hits from DNA and fingerprint tests. Ten people were arrested during Operation Nickel. As the DNA database grows, crimes can be solved weeks, months or even years after the offence has been committed. Nationally, 50 major crimes per day are being solved thanks to DNA.

2.4 Personal safety for schoolchildren

A new personal safety video for schoolchildren has been launched in Plymouth. The video, Think Safe Keep Safe, encourages primary school children to think ahead, listen to their feelings and share them with people they trust. It aims to encourage children to consider their personal safety in everyday situations (walking home from school, answering the door safely at home, going to places that they don’t know).

The video will be used initially by police youth affairs officers in Plymouth primary schools to present important personal safety messages. It will also be available for sale to schools, police forces and other agencies to assist them in promoting personal safety to other young people and their carers. The video was funded by and Devon and Cornwall Care Trust.

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2.5 Improved performance from motorists

Devon & Cornwall Constabulary’s tyre safety campaign, staged between 29 September and 3 October, found that 8% of the 901 vehicles checked were below the minimum legal tread depth of 1.6mm. This is an improvement on previous years and less than the national average of 11%.

The checks were carried out at various sites and were supported by staff from the Tyre Industry Council. All drivers of vehicles with defective tyres were dealt with at the time of the checks, mostly receiving defect notices, which require them to have the illegal tyres replaced. A similar operation held last year revealed that 9% of all vehicles checked had one or more tyre at or below the legal minimum.

2.6 Coypool secure car park award

The Coypool Park and Ride scheme in Plymouth has achieved secured car park status. Car parks which have security features such as lighting and good visibility or CCTV cameras can be nominated for the prestigious award following an inspection by the British Parking Association. Plymouth City Council’s parking and public transport teams, working in conjunction with Plymouth Citybus, are delighted at the achievement. The PCC project manager stated it is a prestigious award that recognises the hard work that has gone into making the car parking area a safer environment.

2.7 Safety Camera Partnership snaps new website

The Devon and Cornwall Safety Camera Partnership has launched its first website to the public. The new site can be found at www.dcsafetycameras.org. and visitors can find out more about the partnership, statistics, camera sites and general road safety issues. It will prove a valuable reference for road safety and speed-related issues in the South West.

Devon & Cornwall Constabulary’s web team commissioned the website to help highlight the fact that speed can kill. Ultimately, it is not a case of catching people out – just wanting motorists to slow down.

The website was launched on 1 October and has been visited by more than 5,000 people so far.

2.8 New recruits in the fight against crime

A pilot scheme that introduced 10 Police Community Support Officers to the streets of Honiton has been so successful that it has been extended to other parts of Devon. Additional support officers have been recruited by the constabulary in partnership with the Home Office, District Council and The Valley Regeneration Scheme. Nine new officers have been deployed in and one new officer in Exeter. The scheme will continue at Honiton.

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The original scheme, funded by the Home Office, was launched to help reduce the fear of crime by providing a high visibility policing presence. PCSOs carry out town centre and neighbourhood patrols while encouraging people in residential neighbourhoods to protect themselves and their homes. They do not have the same powers of arrest as police officers but play a vital role in reassuring members of the public that Devon is one of the safest places in the country to live.

2.9 Campaign to combat motorcycle theft

The constabulary is working in partnership with the parking unit of Plymouth City Council to promote the ‘Lock It or Lose It’ campaign.

Most Plymouth city centre car parks now have dedicated motorcycle parking areas which offer motorcyclists the opportunity to securely chain their machines to specially designed guard railings.

Motorcycles are easy targets for professional or opportunist thieves as they can be wheeled away or bundled into a van in seconds. Professional thieves target the machines they want and either steal them for resale or cannibalise them to rebuild damaged machines. Lightweight scooters are especially vulnerable; those reported as stolen are often discovered later as burnt out wrecks or with stripped down frames.

2.10 Stations in line for an upgrade

Four stations in Devon and Cornwall will be refurbished as part of a £20 million Government scheme to improve police facilities. The Force has been awarded a £465,000 share of this year’s Home Office Premises Improvement Fund to upgrade stations at , , and Totnes. The money will be match-funded from police resources.

The Government drive to modernise police work places will see cash being spent nationally on dedicated video suites for vulnerable witnesses, IT upgrades, forensic science support and general improvements to stations. All 43 police forces in England and Wales successfully bid for grants and just over £1.7 million went to the five South West forces.

2.11 Keeping an eye on bogus callers

Police, Homesafe and the Lions Club of Plymouth have teamed up to provide a revolutionary safety device for vulnerable city residents. The Lions Club donated 50 view-com devices, which Homesafe are installing free-of-charge to selected homes in the city. The appliance works like a normal door spyglass with the addition of a two-way intercom so that residents can see and speak to callers without having to open the door.

12 The Homesafe team, based at Charles Cross police station, attends burgled homes to fit window and door locks and other home security equipment and to provide advice to victims to prevent repeat burglaries.

2.12 New weapon to fight drugs in Torbay

Police and licensees in Torbay have launched a drug-testing scheme to help make pubs and clubs in the area safer for everyone. A portable machine, which tests for drugs and explosives, has been bought in partnership with Safer Communities, Torbay. Thanks to partnership working with licensees, it will be used at various licensed premises throughout the area. Swabs are taken from the hands or belongings of customers and then placed into the machine for analysis. Within seconds it can tell whether someone has taken or been in possession of drugs or explosives, even if tested some hours afterwards. It is not an evidential device, but provides key intelligence in the war against drugs including a sound foundation for the execution of warrants.

2.13 Helicopter gets support on the road

The Air Operations Unit has expanded to include a new dedicated support vehicle on the ground. Exeter Motors sponsored a Proton car to help staff from the unit travel around the two counties when they are not airborne. The provision of the car means staff can also transport their equipment and mechanical parts for the helicopter.

2.14 Safe as houses

Neighbours from hell will be tackled more swiftly under new agreements between the police, local authorities and housing associations. The agencies can now share information to prevent and detect crime or deal with antisocial behaviour. Protocols, signed in South and West Devon and North and East Devon BCUs, allow housing associations to draw up antisocial behaviour orders and provide stricter controls on tenants who have been evicted and move from place to place.

2.15 Eden hosts emergency services exercise

Cornwall’s emergency services spent the day at the Eden Project to practise their response if a major incident occurred at the famous tourist spot. Members of Devon & Cornwall Constabulary, Cornwall County Fire Brigade and West Country Ambulance Service rehearsed a range of scenarios. The main mock incident was a vehicle collision with one of Eden’s land trains, involving multiple casualties, some of whom had to be cut from the carriages. It was the first large-scale exercise of its kind at a tourist attraction in the region.

13 2.16 Cure for hospital violence

A fully equipped station had been opened at Plymouth’s Derriford Hospital to prevent violence against staff and to provide a reassuring police presence. The purpose-built security centre is a joint project between the Force and hospital chiefs and will be staffed by officers and hospital security guards. Office equipment includes breath-testing machines and facilities for interviewing witnesses and victims of crime and managing major incidents.

2.17 Specials support women

The Special Constabulary is running personal safety workshops for women employed by South West Water. The sessions are designed to help women recognise danger and learn how to deal with potential assault safely. They are also taught how to escape holds and simple moves to ‘deflect’ potential attackers. Qualified safety trainers Special Constabulary Commandant Buster Brown and SC Darren Brown are teaching the sessions at Middlemoor.

2.18 Police minister visits region

Hazel Blears joined senior police officers and representatives from other civil authorities at a partnership conference.

The Minister of State for Crime Reduction, Policing and Community Safety was the key note speaker at the Peninsular Chief Executives’ Conference at St Mellion International Golf and Country Club, Cornwall.

Chief Constable Maria Wallis chaired the conference and Assistant Chief Constable Steve Pearce spoke to delegates about the Civil Contingency Bill which outlines how agencies can come together and work efficiently in times of crisis, from a severe environmental disaster to a terrorist attack.

2.19 Drug dealers targeted in Cornwall

A high-profile campaign to crack down on dealers of Class A drugs has been launched in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. The initiative, called Rat on a Rat, encourages members of the public to anonymously provide information on dealers of heroin, crack cocaine and cocaine.

It is a joint enterprise between Crimestoppers and Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly Community Safety Partnership and is supported by funding through the Government Office South West’s excellence and innovation programme.

2.20 Opening of new sports pitch

A Crimebeat project to create a new community sports facility at East-The- Water has opened after two years of hard work and planning. The idea originated when Bideford College students were asked to look at ways of preventing crime in their local communities.

14 Companies both locally and nationally got involved to give support, resources, expertise and finances and the project blossomed. Students now plan to set up a sports league to increase sporting opportunities for the community and the Force is continuing to lend its support.

2.21 Police units tackle vehicle crime

Specialist police units set up across North and East Devon have made dozens of arrests in a campaign to combat vehicle crime. Units were established at Barnstaple, Exeter and Exmouth police stations.

The team in has undertaken high profile and covert patrols during the night. Operation Reef has resulted in a significant reduction in overnight vehicle crime and two prolific thieves were arrested recently.

Effective targeting and investigative techniques in the East sector led to the detection of more than 100 vehicle-related crimes since June. Intelligence gathering in Exeter has led to the arrest of several active criminals for vehicle- related offences. The subsequent investigation resulted in the recovery of stolen property including car stereos, credit cards and passports. Several of the people involved have received prison sentences.

The team has also provided the public with crime prevention education in an attempt to stop vehicle crime taking place.

2.22 Twice as many arrests from Crimestoppers calls

The number of criminals arrested as a direct result of anonymous calls to Crimestoppers has doubled this year.

Figures released for National Crimestoppers Week showed that 173 people have been arrested in Devon and Cornwall between January and September. Calls providing valuable information rose from 1,743 to 4,841 over the same period.

Several of the arrests were for serious offences, including two people charged with attempted murder, one with rape, four with handling stolen goods, six for assault and even one for football hooliganism.

Most of the calls related to drug offences and vehicle crime. These calls led to 59 arrests for drugs and the recovery of £55,790 worth of drugs. There were 66 arrests for theft of and from vehicles and also disqualified and drunk drivers. Vehicles worth a total of £80,000 have been recovered.

15 2.23 Drug campaign success in Plymouth

Plymouth’s Catch a Rat campaign has been declared a success. Operation Puma was run in conjunction with the city’s Evening Herald newspaper and Crimestoppers and encouraged the public to inform on drug dealers. As a result of the three-month operation, more than 400 calls were made by the public and £55,000 worth of drugs was seized of which £20,000 was Class A. There were 122 charges made and 53 cautions for related offences.

2.24 Vehicle crime advice to students

Police officers visited students and staff at Plymouth College of Further Education to remind motorists not to leave valuables on display and to protect their vehicles.

Officers from the Devonport Sector Proactive Team and neighbourhood beat manager PC Julie Hoskin carried out high-profile patrols of the college car park and crime prevention officers security-marked property. Road Safety Officer Ian Tanner also took along a breathalyser to explain how small amounts of alcohol can push motorists over the limit.

16 3 AWARDS AND COMMENDATIONS

3.1 Commendations, Royal Humane Testimonials and Special Constabulary medals and rosettes were awarded to officers and members of the public during a ceremony held at The Salston Manor, .

Chief Constable Maria Wallis presented commendations to Sergeant Shaun Kennealy, Exeter; Constable Ian Gracie, Barnstaple; Mr Graham Dabrowiecki and Mr Neil Dunster, both of East Devon.

Chief Superintendent Morris Watts awarded commendations to Constable Amanda Drake, Exeter; Constable Owen Lloyd, Barnstaple; Constable Mark Wheeler, Barnstaple; Constable Douglas Penman, Barnstaple; Master Max Mills, North Devon; Special Constable Christopher Tratt, Honiton; Mr Devon Hanson, Exeter; Special Constable Geoffrey Pugsley, Tiverton; Detective Constable Simon Davey, Exeter; Detective Constable Michael Chalmers, Exeter; Constable Mark Uren, Exmouth; Constable James Shanks, ; Constable Lee Groves, Exmouth and A/Sergeant Stephen Paynter, Exmouth.

Constable Andrew McGlynn, Exmouth, and Constable Dan Hall, Exeter, were honoured with Royal Humane Society Testimonials. These were presented by the High Sheriff, Mr Philip Tuckett.

Special Constabulary Long Service and Good Conduct Medals: Andrew Bennett, Barnstaple; Christopher Hammett, Exeter; Caroline Irwin, ; Roger Moore, Exeter; Martin Hammett, Tiverton. Special Constabulary Rosette and Bar: Morris Davey, Tiverton. Presented by Commandant Brown.

3.2 Chief Constable Maria Wallis presented a number of prestigious prizes in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly to recognise outstanding acts of courage and dedication and professionalism on duty.

Commendations were awarded to Detective Sergeant Malcolm Read, ; Sergeant Ian Marshall, ; Constables Patricia Foxwell, Mark Henniker and Robert Lambshead, Newquay; MPCs Neil Sullivan and Richard Poole, Bodmin; Detective Inspector Grattan-Kane, Metropolitan Police (incident at while off-duty), Mr Richard Owen (security guard, ); Mr Adrian Green, Truro and Mr Christopher Ferrier, .

Chief Superintendent Bob Pennington presented commendations and certificates as Operations’ Commander to Mr Ronald Medland, Bodmin; Dr Umair Masood (Royal Cornwall Hospital), Mr Christopher Smart (Warrant Officer in the Territorial Army – Truro), Mr Michael Whitton, .

Chief Superintendent David Ellis awarded commander’s commendations and certificates to Armisheila Biag (US Forces – JMF, St Mawgan); Mr Nicholas Webster, US Forces; Detective Sergeant John Quick, Camborne; Detective Constable Andrew Crawford, Penzance; Detective Constable Gareth Smith, Camborne; Constable Simon Roberts, Camborne; Constable Peter Cole, Bodmin; Constable Ian MacQueen, Truro;

17 Detective Constable Kate Trees, St Austell; Mr Daniel Clarke (RAF St Mawgan), Mr Anthony Brunt, Camborne.

Detective Constable Nigel Hoar of Greater Manchester Police (Bodmin) was awarded the divisional commander’s commendation.

Lady Mary Holborow, Lord Lieutenant, presented Long Service Medals to members of the Special Constabulary: Section Officer Michelle Cowie, Penzance; Section Officer Carl Parry, ; Special Constables David Mundy, Helston, and Trevor Sansom, Helston.

The Bolitho Staff was awarded to Cornwall’s officer of the year: Detective Sergeant Jonathan Quick, Camborne.

3.3 Chief Constable Maria Wallis presented officers and support staff with more than 22 years of service with Long Service and Good Conduct Medals:

Superintendent Barry Marsden, Torbay; Superintendent Elaine Marshall, Plymouth; Detective Chief Inspector Michael Fowkes, Camborne; Inspectors Michael Pope, Charles Cross; Lesley Hecht, HQ recruitment, and Stephen Innes, Launceston; Detective Constables Peter Wilson, and Jeffrey Merrett, Exeter; Sergeants Bradley Templeton, ; Graham Weeks, Devonport; Ian Woods, Tavistock; Chris Crebo, Middlemoor; Mark Helyer, Charles Cross and William Newman, Newton Abbot; Constables Wendy Wallen, Exeter; Mark Box, Barnstaple; Stephen Pengilly, ; David Pink, HQ Control Room; Alan Burgess, Saltash; Brigid Branney, St Austell; Carol Needs, Exmouth; Debbie Mitchelmore, Camborne; Richard Holding, Bodmin, and Gary Jane, Bodmin; Police staff: Mr Terence Forward, Tiverton; Mr Roy Johnson, Charles Cross; Mr Richard Moon, Bodmin; Mr Christopher Mumberson, ; Ms Kay Parker, ; Mrs Alison Parnell, Launceston; Mr Stephen Paterson, HQ Scientific Support Unit; Special Constables Marilyn Northcott, Bideford, and Steven Bailey, .

3.4 Dog handlers in North and East Devon were honoured for their tireless work. In the space of 12 months, officers from Barnstaple and Exeter were called into 5,700 incidents and helped with 750 arrests.

They were commended by BCU commander, Chief Superintendent Morris Watts, for their ‘continued professionalism, dedication and outstanding performance’.

Awards went to PCs Tony Whitting, Richard Hogan, Alan Hall, Eamon Rogers, Graham Sandoe, Nick Rowell, Dave King, Andy Nordqvist, Allan Knight, Alison Cruwys, Gareth Rees and Steve Pike.

Sgt Paul Glennon was also commended his good work and leadership of the North and East Devon dog section.

18 3.5 Behind-the-scenes staff received official praise for helping to catch more than 600 criminals in the space of a year. The 15-person North and East Devon Crime Scene Investigation Unit were twice as productive as any other unit in the Force during that time.

Chief Superintendent Morris Watts gave the team certificates to mark their dedication and expertise, saying they could take significant credit for the improvement of detection rates in the BCU.

During the year, 6,000 crime scenes were examined. As a result 286 offenders were identified by fingerprints and a further 323 as a result of DNA.

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