POLICe are thanking the public after another successful Devon County Show.

Bumper crowds turned out for the three day event near Exeter and officers were on hand to speak to visitors and answer any questions they may have.

The good weather meant that larger than expected crowds flocked to the Westpoint Arena showground and there was plenty for guests to see and do. The Devon & Cornwall Police stand featured several vehicles including a specially adapted Ford Focus RS car, a motorbike and the new All-Terrain Vehicle which is used in Cornwall to assist police in areas such as Bodmin Moor and has already helped locate at least one missing person.

Young children also loved the small police motorbike which they could sit on and they had the chance to dress up in police jackets and hats. Many also took away unique keyrings featuring their own fingerprint.

Grown-ups were encouraged to sign up to the Devon & Cornwall Alert (DC Alert) two way community messaging system to receive useful crime prevention advice and operational updates via email or text message.

Police volunteers, roads policing officers, Police Community Support Officers, Police Cadets and Specials also helped out at the force’s stand this year and several other guests came along to show support, including Assistant Chief Constable Nikki Leaper who watched the police dog display team.

Popular force mascots Juliet, the female police officer and Bravo, the police dog, were also at the show to meet visitors and have their photo taken.

Superintendent Antony Hart, the area commander for Exeter, East & Mid Devon Local Policing Area said: 'This was a fantastic event and a great opportunity to engage with hundreds of members of the public and tell them more about what we do and how we can help them. We met lots of people from across the South West who were very interested in how we keep them safe. Hopefully there were some future recruits amongst the visitors.” '

The Devon & Cornwall Police stand was located in the Emergency Services Village close to staff from the Vision Zero South West road safety partnership, Border Force and Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue, as well as members of the South West Ambulance Service.

The Devon & Cornwall Police Rural Crime Team also had a stand at the Devon County Show and were showing off their new tractor while chatting to lots of visitors across the three days. They also gave lots of advice around livestock and horse security, farm buildings, fuel theft and how to keep agricultural vehicles safe.

To find out more about DC Alert visit https://www.alerts.dc.police.uk

For rural crime prevention schemes or joining the force visit https://www.devonandcornwall.police.uk