Police in Plymouth have recently joined forces with Cattewater Harbour Commissioners to improve their access to waterfront areas. The partnership gives the police team from the south of the city use of an authority boat to conduct an additional patrol from the water.
On the first day of using the boat, the team dealt with three incidents. One of these involved supporting colleagues searching for a suspect in the waterfront area. The suspect couldn’t be seen from the land due to reduced visibility from the Hoe approach but was easily spotted by officers in the boat and subsequently arrested. The other two incidents involved dealing with tombstoners.
PC Marcus Hodges, Neighbourhood Beat Manager said: “Teaming up with Cattewater Harbour Commissioners gives us access to areas that have previously been difficult to reach. The success we’ve had on the first day of using the boat shows how areas that are difficult to see on land are completely exposed when viewed from the water.
We now have full access to the waterfront areas and can make use of the boat in many ways from identifying groups gathering on the beaches and waterfront areas involved in underage drinking or antisocial behaviour to engaging with tombstoners who are in the water, out of reach of the patrol teams on land.”
This partnership comes as part of an ongoing initiative by Devon and Cornwall Police, the Community Safety Partnership and Devon and Somerset Fire Rescue to ensure the waterfront areas are enjoyed safely.
Andy Thomas, manager of the Royal Plymouth Corinthian Yacht Club said: “This summer I’ve noticed a big improvement in the policing of the waterfront. Unfortunately tombstoning and other antisocial behaviour isn’t going to go away completely but I’m pleased with the results that have come about as a result of the initiatives from the partnership.”
