News, views and Events in and around Bigbury, South Devon

Posts tagged police

Fines And Fixed Penalty Notices – Let The Police And Crime Commissioner Know Your Views

December 13, 2018 Leave a Comment Written by Stuart Watts

Last year on Britain’s roads an average of five people were killed and more than 460 injured every single day in road traffic collisions. Far too many lives are being risked or ruined due to inconsiderate, dangerous drivers who have a blatant disregard for their own safety and that of others when they ignore the law.
It’s important we continue to educate road users on safety but enforcement is also part of the solution.
Fines and fixed penalty notices should act as a deterrent and to penalise occasions when less serious offences occur. But this must go hand in hand with more police enforcement to make sure the law abiding majority feel safe and confident using our roads.
The money generated by fixed penalty fines and other motoring offences goes to HM Treasury – not to the police, councils or highways authorities whose job it is to keep our roads safe. I don’t think this is fair. If police forces were able to raise more revenues, they would be able to invest in new road safety enforcement and education officers like the No Excuse team.
Also, the fines for some offences is out of kilter with the harm caused. The penalty for those caught using a handheld mobile phone while driving doubled to a £200 fine and six points last year to reflect the severity of the crime and public concern, and the maximum fine for those admitting littering from a car rose to £150, yet the fixed penalty charge for speeding remains at £100 and three points.
As Police and Crime Commissioner, I am calling for the fixed penalty fines for some traffic offences to be increased to act as a greater deterrent and, importantly, that this additional revenue is passed directly into local road safety measures with a priority given to enforcement.
But I want to hear what you think. Please take time to answer a short survey to let us know your views (this should take no longer than two minutes) https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/BKHM567

Thank you
Alison Hernandez
Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon and Cornwall
http://www.devonandcornwall-pcc.gov.uk/

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CHRISTMAS DRINK/DRIVE WARNING!

December 6, 2018 Leave a Comment Written by Stuart Watts

Devon & Cornwall Police has a simple message to all drivers this Christmas – don’t risk driving if you’ve had even one drink or have taken drugs.
Inspector Peter Thomas of the Alliance Roads Policing Team, said: “Alcohol and drugs impair many of the functions necessary for safe driving; reaction times and spatial awareness are affected significantly. This may still be the case the morning after, depending on how much alcohol you consumed the night before and when you stopped drinking.
“If police think you are unfit to drive through consumption of alcohol, even if your breath test registers lower than the prescribed limit of 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 milliliters of breath you can still be arrested and may be charged with an offence. In short, you do not have to be drunk to be a drink driver. Don’t risk it.
“It’s not just you that’s at risk. You could kill or seriously injure another person. Drink and drug driving destroys people’s lives and those of their families. Avoiding this happening is as simple as planning ahead, leaving the car at home and using a taxi, public transport or designated driver to get home.”
Alison Hernandez, Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon and Cornwall, said: “This summer my team spoke to over 5,000 people about all forms of irresponsible road use and drink driving was one of their main issues.
“We know that more people risk drinking and driving over the Christmas period but if you’re thinking of doing that I want to tell you that because we’ve invested more resources in roads policing this year you’re more likely to get caught. The consequences of that for you and the people you love can be devastating.”
Between 1 December 2018 and 1 January 2019 a number of special operations, in addition to vigilant day to day roads policing, have been organised by the now enhanced Alliance Roads Policing team, Alliance Roads Policing Specials and No Excuse team, working with armed response vehicle (ARV) police officers and neighbourhood policing teams and in partnership with Highways England and the Peninsula Road Safety Partnership.
The force will not announce in advance where and when these are happening. These include Operation Tramline which uses an unmarked HGV cab, supplied by Highways England, to provide an unprecedented platform from which to spot offences; Operation Logjam which concentrates on speeding and the “morning after” when the roads are full of morning commuters and increased commercial traffic, and a range of local operations targeting morning after drivers and those who have been out drinking in the evening.
Sergeant Jon-Kerridge-Smith, leading the No Excuse team, said: “We are targeting irresponsible drivers.
“Breath tests will be taken from all drivers involved in collisions, irrespective of whether or not they suspect a drink driving offence. Drivers can also expect to be tested if stopped for an offence.”
Drugwipe sample kits will be used at the roadside on drivers suspected of being unfit to drive through drugs, and provide an instant result.
“Over the past decade, nationally, we’ve significantly reduced the number of people killed and seriously injured on our roads and we are passionate about ensuring we continue this downward trend. We will continue to do this through enforcement and education, making drivers think twice before they get behind the wheel after drinking or taking drugs.”
“I don’t want myself, or any of the Alliance roads policing officers, to have to knock on someone’s door this Christmas to break the devastating news that a father, mother, son, daughter or partner is never coming home again.”
If you are concerned about someone drinking and driving and it is going to happen immediately, call 999 or report anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Otherwise email 101@dc.police.uk
More information, and a range of downloadable posters and leaflets about drink driving can be found on the Devon & Cornwall Police website:www.dc.police.uk/drinkdriving

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POLICE APPEAL FOR WITNESSES

December 3, 2018 Leave a Comment Written by Stuart Watts

Man left with serious injuries

Detectives investigating a serious hit-and-run collision in Plymouth are asking for the public’s help to trace a car sought in connection with the offence.
A 25-year-old man sustained potentially life-changing injuries after being deliberately struck by a car in Stuart Road around 1.30am on Tuesday 27 November.
Detectives are investigating the incident as attempted murder and are seeking a white BMW in relation to their enquiries.
A police spokesman said: “The matter is now being treated as attempted murder and we are appealing for any witnesses to the offence.
“We are particularly keen to trace a white BMW 330 saloon, registration number WX10 BVO, in connection with this incident. This vehicle is likely to have front end damage. Furthermore we would like to hear from any garages or local car repair shops if this vehicle has been brought in with any damage.
“Anyone with dash cam footage, in particular taxi drivers, who were in the area of Mutley Plain, North Hill, Stuart Road and Alma Road between 1am and 2am that day are also requested to come forward.
“Lastly we are asking local business owners with external CCTV in those same areas to check whether they have footage of a white BMW and a grey saloon vehicle travelling at speed between those times.”
Anyone with information to assist with the enquiry is asked to contact police via 101@dc.police.uk or by phone on 101, quoting crime number CR/109778/18.
Information can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers via 0800 555111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org

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POLICE MESSAGE: Bogus Emails – Cyber Security Information

October 17, 2018 Leave a Comment Written by Stuart Watts

We would like to make you aware that we have received reports of bogus court/solicitors/summons emails being sent which contains a link. We do not know the intention of this email, but it could be an attempt to install malware on your computer to gain access to data or your personal information.

We are unable to inform the public about all of the scams in circulation, we ask for you to visit the action fraud website to see the information on scams in circulation and their advice www.actionfraud.police.uk.
Protect yourself from fraud and cyber crime:
If you receive an email from an unknown source, or something doesn’t look right about the email or the action you are being asked to take:
Do not click on any links in the email. Instead visit only trusted websites or use a search engine to find the website
Do not reply to the email or contact the senders in any way.
Do not open any attachments that arrive with the email.

Don’t automatically trust something unfamiliar
Even if you do receive an email from a business or individual you trust, always consider the above if it is:
Asking you to login
Send passwords
Reset accounts
Open attachments
Download files

If a fraud has been committed please report it to action fraud www.actionfraud.police.uk telephone number 0300 123 2040.
Please inform others of this.

If you have any concerns please phone 101 or email 101@dc.police.uk.
Thank you.

You are receiving this message because you are registered On Devon and Cornwall Alert. Various organisations are licenced To send messages via this system, we call these organisations “Information Providers”.

Please note that this message was sent by Devon and Cornwall Police.

You can instantly review the messages you receive and configure which Information Providers can see your information by clicking here, or you can unsubscribe completely, (you can also review our terms and conditions and Privacy Policy from these links).

This e-mail communication makes use of a “Clear Image” (gif) to track results of the e-mail campaign. If you wish to turn off this tracking for future e-mails, you can do so by not downloading the images in the e-mail itself.

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Devon and Cornwall Police looking for snow heroes

March 14, 2018 Leave a Comment Written by Stuart Watts
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CHRISTMAS GREETINGS FROM DEVON & CORNWALL POLICE

December 5, 2017 Leave a Comment Written by Stuart Watts
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

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Missing Salcombe man – 27 September 2017

October 2, 2017 Leave a Comment Written by Stuart Watts
Missing Salcombe man – 27 September 2017
This is a message sent via Devon and Cornwall Alert. This information has been sent on behalf of Devon and Cornwall Police
(Please do not reply or forward this email directly; please use the Reply, Share buttons at the bottom of this message)
Message sent by
Linzi Berryman (Police, Community Messaging Officer, Devon and Cornwall)



Police are concerned for the welfare of 66-year-old Michael Ferchuck who is missing from Dunstans Road, Salcombe, Devon.

Michael was last seen on Sunday 24 September by a neighbour and is described as white, 6ft tall, slim, with greying dark brown hair and wears glasses.

He is believed to be driving a blue Suzuki Alto, registration WJ10 HNZ.

Anyone with any information regarding Michael’s whereabouts is urged to contact the police quoting log reference number 0681 27/09/17.
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LOCAL CRACKDOWN ON SPEEDING BOATS

September 28, 2017 Leave a Comment Written by Stuart Watts
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

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