Devon & Cornwall Police News site

In the last month alone, proactive work in Totnes has led to a number of drug seizures, successful arrests and the retrieval of stolen items.

Neighbourhood officers from Devon & Cornwall Police have achieved a number of positive outcomes after high-visibility patrols and plain clothes operations across the town.  

Following up on information shared by the public to officers while on patrol, positive stop-searches saw officers seize suspected Class A, B and C drugs. Two people were arrested in connection with the operation. One of the suspects was subsequently charged with drug supply offences and remanded in custody awaiting trial.

Officers searching for a wanted man made an arrest when a vehicle failed to stop as they attempted to flag it down. A 23-year-old man was subsequently arrested on suspicion of drug supply offences and driving without legal documents. He was released on police bail while enquiries continue.

An investigation by the neighbourhood team resulted in a 23-year-old-man being jailed for three years after he pleaded guilty to drug supply offences on 14  January at Plymouth Crown Court. He had been arrested in September 2024.

Two stolen e-motorbikes were located during a search of a property and later reunited with their rightful owners. It was found that one had been stolen from Nottingham in 2022 and the other from a commercial burglary in Torquay in May 2023.

Inspector Mark Stevens, who leads the neighbourhood police officers in Totnes, commented on the importance of the community’s involvement in securing these outcomes: “Without the help of members of the public, we wouldn’t be able to achieve results like these. I am pleased we were able to have a positive impact on the safety in the town and disrupt criminality on our streets.

“The information and reports we receive from members of the public are key in all of our investigations; they allow us to build strong cases and ultimately secure charges to put suspects in front of the courts.

“Our neighbourhood officers will continue to be visible on the streets of Totnes. We are listening. We know you want to see more officers and that you want us take robust action against those causing harm in our community. I hope this snapshot of proactive work shows our commitment to this.

“In return, I’d like to encourage the community to continue coming forward to report crime and information to us. If you don’t feel comfortable sharing your name with the police, you can report 100% anonymously via Crimestoppers. Thank you.”

Reports from members of the public provide police with invaluable information about where and when crimes are taking place. Please continue to report any intelligence, no matter how small, on the Devon & Cornwall Police website or by calling 101.

Pass information and reports anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555111, or via their website.

To stay up to date with the latest on what police are doing in your local area, sign up to Devon & Cornwall Alert.