DEVON & Cornwall Police in South Devon area are preparing for the busy festive season, stepping up their activity to deter seasonal crime and target offenders in an effort to keep communities safe.

Chief Superintendent Roy Linden, who heads up police teams across Torbay, Teignbridge and South Hams, said: ‘This time of the year attracts lots of visitors, shoppers and families to our area, which is fantastic to see.

‘Whilst the towns in South Devon remain a safe place to visit, work and live, we know that opportunist criminals use this busy period to their advantage.

‘To ensure our communities feel safe, it’s important that our officers are visible, approachable and proactive during this season.

‘Police officers will be pursuing shoplifters, offences relating to alcohol and drug use including drink driving, domestic violence and antisocial behaviour.

‘A large focus will be on deterring these crimes from happening in the first place as well as arresting offenders who look to cause harm to our community.

‘You will see our officers patrolling on foot and in vehicles across peak times and locations.

‘Patrol routes and timings are evidence based; we go where we know crimes have happened in the past and where offences are likely to happen.

‘Whether in plain clothes or uniform, our officers will be on the streets actively identifying those looking to offend.

‘There will also be a clear focus on crimes that we know tend to occur during December, such as shoplifting, alcohol related violence and violence against women.

‘If you ever feel unsafe in a specific area, you see something that doesn’t look quite right, or you want to get to know your local police team – I’d encourage you to speak with an officer.

‘They’re there to help.’

Chief Superintendent Linden commented on how the festive season can be a difficult period of time for people who experience domestic abuse.

‘As someone who grew up witnessing domestic abuse, I’d like to send a message to anyone who is affected by it; our police officers are here for you, no matter the day or time, we are here to protect and keep you safe from harm, particularly over Christmas’ Chief Superintendent Linden said.

‘As a message to perpetrators of domestic abuse, our officers continue to work relentlessly to pursue you; you will be arrested, and where the evidence supports a prosecution, you will be taken to court.

‘In addition to this, we will seek to use a variety of civil order to prevent you from causing further harm in the future’ Chief Superintendent Linden added.