| The appalling conditions and heavy snowfall impacted massively on communities in Devon and Cornwall. Police and partner agencies worked tirelessly to safeguard lives and to minimise disruption and on many occasions, without having to be asked, local volunteers pitched in to help. We now want to thank the #SnowHeroes who went above and beyond to help the emergency services during these busy days. If you know of someone who gave their time to help, no matter how big or small their efforts, please nominate them on the Devon and Cornwall Police website www.dc.police.uk/snowheroes Chief Superintendent Glen Mayhew, commanding the Devon & Cornwall Police and Dorset Police operations department, said: “During the first few days of March, while our counties were gripped in the teeth of the Beast from the East and Storm Emma, local volunteers went above and beyond to help the police and other agencies. “Volunteers helped in many ways such as taking food to stranded motorists, freeing vehicles stuck in snow and visiting vulnerable people to check on their welfare. “Sometimes the people they helped were friends or family or neighbours, and at other times they were complete strangers. The community spirit we witnessed during those days was extraordinary. “Now we would like to recognise the contribution of these real snow heroes. Devon and Cornwall Police would like to hear about these volunteers and how they went above and beyond to help. Please nominate your snow hero before Sunday 25 March.” Nominees will receive a letter of recognition from Chief Constable of Devon and Cornwall Police Shaun Sawyer. Those chosen for special commendation will be invited to a day “behind the blue line” at Police Headquarters in Exeter and meet members of operational policing teams such as the dog unit and the drone team. Closing date for nominations Sunday 25 March 2017 #SnowHeroes |
| Message Sent By Linzi Berryman (Police, Community Messaging Officer, Devon and Cornwall) |
Posts tagged police
Devon and Cornwall Police looking for snow heroes
CHRISTMAS GREETINGS FROM DEVON & CORNWALL POLICE
Message sent by
Linzi Berryman (Police, Community Messaging Officer, Devon and Cornwall)
Throughout December Devon and Cornwall Police will be making sure that the region’s roads are a safe place for everyone. The annual Christmas operation to stop people driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, through awareness raising and rigorous enforcement, is under way.
Any drivers involved in a collision and any motorists whose driving may lead police to suspect they are under the influence of alcohol will be breathalysed. If drug driving is suspected, drivers can also be tested at the roadside using a mouth swab device.
Devon and Cornwall Police is keen to dispel some commonly held myths about drink and drug driving.
Roads Policing Inspector Richard McLellan emphasised that being “under the limit” for a breath test does not necessarily mean that a driver’s judgement and abilities are not impaired.
He said: “If the police have observed you driving in a careless or dangerous fashion whether you have had a collision or not, you could still be arrested, charged and prosecuted for a Section 4 offense of driving a mechanically propelled vehicle whilst unfit through drink or drugs, even if your breath test indicates a level below 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath.”
Inspector McLellan continued: “Drivers also need to stop assuming that they can “sleep it off”. From a sample of 98 people that had a positive, failed or refused breath test in June 2017, seven were found to be significantly over the limit the morning after.
“One 38-year-old man blew 147 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath at 9.24 on a Wednesday morning. Sleep has nothing to do with reducing the alcohol level in your blood, only time.”
“Our message is clear and simple: don’t drink or take drugs and drive, and give due consideration to the morning after. It is simply not worth it.”
Police are also emphasising that the effects of a collision caused by driving with impaired judgment due to alcohol or drugs extend much further than initial damage, injury or fatalities.
Inspector McLellan said: “If you drive while impaired you not only increase your chance of causing serious injury or a death through a collision, but also risk consequences in trying to carry on with a normal life. The penalties when caught have far-reaching implications on any drink driver’s life financially, emotionally, psychologically and on their family and friends.
“The punishments for drink driving are rightly severe because there is no excuse for doing it. If convicted of drink driving you will have a criminal record, lose your licence and potentially your livelihood and you could spend time in prison and receive a large fine. Convictions can also significantly increase insurance premiums and prevent travel to certain countries.”
Preventing death or injury is as simple as pre-booking a taxi back from a party or having an alcohol free designated driver in your group.
Since 2013, the average percentage of drivers who have been stopped in Devon and Cornwall that were positive, failed or refused alcohol breath test is 20%. The national average from figures released by the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) this year is 10%.
Inspector McLellan concluded: “Drink driving cannot be tolerated at any time of the year but we will ensure very close attention is being paid over the festive period. This is intelligence led policing and it means that in Devon and Cornwall you are twice as likely to get caught if you are selfish enough to do it.”
Current drink-driving penalties are listed here: https://www.gov.uk/drink-driving-penalties
Missing Salcombe man – 27 September 2017
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LOCAL CRACKDOWN ON SPEEDING BOATS
| Tel: 01803 861368 | Email: communications@swdevon.gov.uk |
Rise in Speeding on Salcombe Harbour
The Salcombe Harbour Office reports that there has been an unwelcome rise in the number of vessels caught speeding this year, within Salcombe Harbour and surrounding areas.
Despite the highest allowed speed in the harbour being 8 knots (9 mph), some vessels have been stopped for travelling at speeds of over 30 knots (35 mph). The areas affected by speeding are Salcombe Harbour, including the estuary right up to Kingsbridge, the ‘Bar’ and Harbour entrance but also in South Pool Creek and Widegates.
The Salcombe Harbour Master, Adam Parnell said: “My team has stopped 35 boats for speeding, and some have been travelling so fast that our patrol boat, which can do in excess of 35 knots, has struggled to catch up.
“We know that this number represents the tip of the iceberg. We receive many calls and emails from members of the public who witness speeding, but unfortunately they often don’t tell us until hours or even days later, so it’s often too late to do anything about it.”
To deal with the rise in speeding, the Harbour Authority is increasing additional speeding patrols both at the Bar and in Widegates. “It appears that not only are these vessels speeding, but they’re not even aware of who and what is around them, and that’s a real concern,” said the Assistant Harbour Master, Cameron Sims-Stirling.
“What is particularly disappointing,” said Cllr Julian Brazil, Chairman of the Harbour Authority, “is that many of the vessels the team stop, are actually locals who should know better.”
All vessels caught speeding were given either a verbal or written warning, but in the worst cases, they received a formal interview under caution.
“A lot of people don’t realise that speeding is regulated by Harbour Bye-laws, a breach of which is a prosecutable criminal offence” said the Harbour Master. “Unlike speeding in a car, which is a civil offence, the helm of a speeding vessel can end up with a criminal record and be fined up to £1000.”
“They don’t realise the damage that their wake is causing behind them. We’ve had reports of paddle-boarders being washed off their boards and smaller vessels capsized.” The Authority is particularly concerned at reports from local marine businesses that the poor behaviour of a few is having on the reputation of Salcombe as a safe harbour, with paddle-board companies concerned for the safety of their customers.
Anyone witnessing a speeding vessel is strongly encouraged to report it to the Harbour Office as soon as possible so that the appropriate action can be taken. You can report this by phone on: 01548 843791 or by Twitter @Salcombeharbour.
ENDS
DCC warns against ID theft
| Identify theft reaches epidemic levels says fraud prevention group |
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News article – no excuse for drink driving
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Microsoft Tech-Support Scammers using WannaCry attack to lure victims
This is a message sent via Devon and Cornwall Alert. This information has been sent on behalf of Action Fraud (National Fraud Intelligence Bureau)
Message sent by Action Fraud (Action Fraud, Administrator, National)
Action Fraud has received the first reports of Tech-Support scammers claiming to be from Microsoft who are taking advantage of the global WannaCry ransomware attack.
One victim fell for the scam after calling a ‘help’ number advertised on a pop up window. The window which wouldn’t close said the victim had been affected by WannaCry Ransomware.
The victim granted the fraudsters remote access to their PC after being convinced there wasn’t sufficient anti-virus protection. The fraudsters then installed Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool, which is actually free and took £320 as payment.
It is important to remember that Microsoft’s error and warning messages on your PC will never include a phone number.
Additionally Microsoft will never proactively reach out to you to provide unsolicited PC or technical support. Any communication they have with you must be initiated by you.
How to protect yourself
Don’t call numbers from pop-up messages.
Never allow remote access to your computer.
Always be wary of unsolicited calls. If you’re unsure of a caller’s identity, hang up.
Never divulge passwords or pin numbers.
Microsoft or someone on their behalf will never call you.
If you believe you have already been a victim
Get your computer checked for any additional programmes or software that may have been installed.
Contact your bank to stop any further payments being taken.
Report fraud and cyber crime to Actionfraud.police.uk
Boat Watch
This is a message sent via Devon and Cornwall Alert. This information has been sent on behalf of Devon and Cornwall Police
Message sent by
Linzi Berryman (Police, Community Messaging Officer, De)
Dear Boat Watch member
It is the time of year we typically see an increase in reported marine crime and I request you remain vigilant and report any suspicious, unusual activity or marine crimes which may occur.
I would like to take this opportunity to remind you of Project Kraken and request you keep us updated with any information which may be of use to us.
Project Kraken – a joint initiative now being delivered by the NCA, Border Force and police forces – aims to increase public reporting and strengthen the general maritime industry’s response to the threats.
We want you to report any unusual or suspicious behaviour in these and other maritime environments. No matter how trivial it may seem; if it looks out of the ordinary, we want to know about it.
Whether you work in the maritime industries, are a keen sailor, or are just walking along the coast, your local knowledge and your experience of the maritime world means you are well placed to spot anything unusual.
By working together we can help to prevent terrorists and organised criminals posing a threat to your neighbours, your pastimes, your businesses and your livelihoods.
They will exploit any opening they find.
How you can help
We want you to report any unusual or suspicious activity near the coastline and in maritime environments.
This could include, among others:
Boats with names or identification numbers painted out, altered or erased.
People or packages landed or disembarked from boats in unusual locations and transferred into waiting vehicles. Why are they suspicious? Note times, locations, descriptions of vessels, persons, including boat names, sail numbers, hull colours or other distinctive markings. If vehicles are seen note make, registration, colour and nationality.
Boats moving late at night or early in the morning in suspicious circumstances, showing little or no navigational lighting or signalling to persons or vehicles ashore.
Boats which may be overloaded, appear low in the water, contain people who do not appear to be able to handle the vessel or are inadequately dressed for the prevailing weather conditions.
Boats containing people who appear to be engaged in unusual boat handling techniques such as recovering swimmers or divers from the water.
Rigid inflatable boats moving at unusual times or seen in unusual locations and fitted with extra fuel tanks.
Suspicious requests to buy or store large amounts of fuel, satellite navigational equipment, gas bottles, chemicals, uniforms or badges.
Suspicious or unfamiliar persons seen in marinas or coastal areas carrying tools, paying attention to or taking photographs of vessels with high value items such as engines and electronic navigational equipment.
Suspicious persons who ask questions about security procedures or who are observed filming/taking photographs/making notes or drawing diagrams of: military/police/security facilities, vulnerable public areas such as bridges, tourist attractions, shopping, restaurant or passenger processing, embarkation/disembarkation routes at cruise ship, ferry terminals or docking facilities.
Suspicious persons seen to abandon a vehicle onboard a ferry and walk ashore or who leave a vehicle in an unusual position in areas of high volume public or passenger access.
Suspicious vessels observed entering maritime restricted areas or seen in close proximity to large cargo or passenger vessels whilst underway or at anchor.
Suspicious persons seeking unusual instruction on the water such as diving, hiring powerboats, inflatable RHIBS or yachts. Who are they and where are they from? Obtain as much information as possible.
Crew who show signs of nervousness or a lack of awareness of maritime protocols and customs.
Vessels showing signs of unusual modification or minor damage.
Increased activity at isolated coastal locations or at unusual times of the day.
Any attempts to signal to vessels offshore or guide them into an unusual landfall.
Strange patterns of payment, such as large amounts of cash.
What should you do?
If you see unusual or suspicious activity, report it to your local police on 101, or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 and quote ‘Project Kraken’.
Record as much information as you can – the smallest detail could be significant. Do not take direct action against any individuals or groups.
If it is an emergency or you require immediate Police attendance, call 999
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