Police in Exeter Hail Operation Loki a Success and Thank the Public For Their Support.
Police officers in Exeter have received positive feedback from the public after running Operation Loki in the city.
The operation started in late March and ran for four weeks with high visibility patrols and a range of tactics to tackle issues of local concern such as anti-social behaviour and drug taking.
The high profile operation has been deemed a success by residents and businesses and officers have been out and about engaging with more than 2,000 members of the public during the daytime and evening.
There were 52 arrests and 39 drug seizures (mostly cocaine and crack cocaine). Knives and alcohol were seized and Licensing Officers also visited pubs and clubs in the city to make safety checks.
As part of the initiative a temporary pop up police station was used in the city for a day which gave shoppers a good opportunity to meet officers face to face, ask questions and give their feedback on policing in the city via a survey. Devon & Cornwall Police Force Chaplain Iain Miller went along to support the event and speak to the public. Children also had the chance to have their fingerprints taken.
The force’s passive drugs dog Skye was a big hit with people in Exeter during Op Loki as both she and handler PC Steve Waters visited the central train station and other busy retail areas to check passers-by.
Exeter Sector Inspector Simon Arliss said: “The Exeter Neighbourhood Team were out in force for Operation Loki; supported by colleagues from Mid and East Devon, Specials, Police Cadets and partners. Public feedback demonstrates that we had a positive impact on crime and fear of crime in the city centre. The team worked hard; taking a robust approach to issues raised by our local communities and engaging with as many people as possible to better understand their concerns.
“We will reflect on the results of Operation Loki phase one and look at how we can continue to improve public safety and crime prevention. Being visible and accessible to the people of Exeter is something we value as highly as most of the public do and we are eager to sustain this”.
Officers also joined up with colleagues from the council’s Trading Standards department as part of Op Loki to tackle the issue of shops selling illicit tobacco in Exeter. Two premises were visited and items hidden in a ceiling were seized including illegal vaping materials and tobacco. Trading Standards sniffer dog Bran was on hand to assist the operation. An investigation is on-going and authorities will decide if further action is needed against the shop involved.
Alex Fry, Operations Manager for Heart of the South West Trading Standards, said “We were pleased to work alongside Devon & Cornwall Police on their Operation Loki in Exeter. This positive outcome is a testament to our close team working and effective exchange of intelligence. Combatting the supply of illegal tobacco and vapes is a high priority for us. We often work together with the police to disrupt criminals selling illicit tobacco and vapes which are potentially dangerous.”
Exeter is one of the six Safer Streets areas taking part in Operation Loki across Devon & Cornwall. Specialist police resources, including covert officers, also supported the four week drive. The initiative continues in other areas as not all towns or cities started on the same date.
EXETER RESULTS
- Arrests for various offences including anti-social behaviour, drug offences, being drunk and disorderly and assault: 52
- Licensed premises visited: 24
- Number of people engaged with: more than 2,000
- Hundreds of public surveys completed
- Drug seizures: 39
- Knives seized: 5
- Alcohol seized: 69
- Anti Social Behaviour Dispersals: 45
There were also vehicle stops carried out over the four weeks and police officers made safeguarding checks on vulnerable people, some were referred to partner organisations who can offer help and support.
Pic shows Insp Simon Arliss (left) with sniffer dog Skye and handler PC Steve Waters
