Police in Barnstaple Reflect on the Success of Operation Loki

Operation Loki in Barnstaple has come to an end and police are thanking the public for their support.

The four week initiative started on 3 April and involved high visibility patrols in town hotspots to tackle public concerns such as anti social behaviour and drug taking and to also increase community engagement levels.

Officers from the Barnstaple Neighbourhood Team were supported by officers from other parts of North & West Devon, as well as Specials, Police Cadets and Police Community Support Officers.

The Devon & Cornwall Police Passive Drugs Dog Skye visited the town during Op Loki with her handler PC Steve Waters. Several licensed premises were included in the checks.   

Misuse of drugs warrants were actioned during Op Loki and drugs, including cocaine, were seized. 

There was also an opportunity for the public to meet officers face to face, ask questions and complete a feedback survey about local issues at the temporary pop-up police station, as well as online.

Inspector Andy Wills, Barnstaple Sector Inspector, said: “We are pleased with the results from Operation Loki phase one in Barnstaple but we can always do more to listen to the public and be around when they need us.   

“Barnstaple sector has the best detection rate in the force which means we are good at ‘solving’ crimes and ultimately trying to help victims.

“The survey results tell us that during April reported anti social behaviour levels have dropped by almost 50% in the town centre (year on year) and many people welcomed the visible policing approach in the town. Retailers and others commented to me and colleagues about the positive difference.   

“We will reflect on the past few weeks, evaluate the results and continue to work hard to keep our communities safe. We are committed to engaging with partners to keep Barnstaple a friendly and enjoyable place to live, work and visit. We want to reassure local people that even though Op Loki has finished for now this does not mean that we stop doing our best for them.”      

Police and partners, including colleagues from North Devon District Council and the Barnstaple in Bloom brigade, joined up for a day of action last week (26 April) to spruce up the town with graffiti removal and planting.       

Local school children also took part in Op Loki when Youth Engagement Officer Matt Young and local PCSOs visited their classrooms to talk about anti-social behaviour. Pupils at several schools in Barnstaple had a chance to ask questions as part of the force’s Mini Police initiative and community engagement.

The year five group at Our Lady’s Catholic Primary School also took part in Mini Police in the run up to Op Loki and learned about the importance of strong communities. The class chose anti-social behaviour as the topic and as part of the community action they visited Barnstaple Cemetery for a litter pick.  

PC Matt Young commented: “The pupils removed around 20kg of litter and made the cemetery a more pleasant place to visit. The children really grasped the idea of how negative behaviours can affect victims and communities as a whole.”  

Police teams will continue to work in conjunction with partner agencies to address problems in the town and help reassure residents and businesses.

Barnstaple is one of the six Safer Streets project areas across Devon & Cornwall and Operation Loki has been running across all six. For more information about Barnstaple Safer Streets please visit www.northdevon.gov.uk

North Devon Council and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly secured Home Office funds to tackle antisocial behaviour and violence against women and girls in Barnstaple. This money has been used for better lighting, CCTV and also paid for training such as self-defence classes for female students, as well as removal of graffiti. Police also provide a Youth Intervention Officer to work with youngsters who may be in danger of taking the wrong path in life. This helps prevent crime such as anti-social behaviour.