Maritime community offered free police property marking and advice about wildlife disturbance
Devon & Cornwall Police officers arranged free property marking to boat owners and others during a recent coastal operation in Teignmouth.
Operation Seabird took place at the quayside on Monday this week, and was a multi-agency collaboration with partners to raise awareness about the sensitivities of the coastline and how simple changes can reduce pressure on our unique wildlife, raising the profile and awareness around maritime wildlife disturbance and maritime wildlife crime. Police also used the opportunity to speak with the public and raise the profile and awareness around marine crime, including anti-social behaviour and localised maritime wildlife crime.
Partners working with Devon & Cornwall Police Rural Affairs Team and Teignmouth and Dawlish Neighbourhood Police Team included; Teignmouth Harbour Commission, ABP Ports, Marine Management Organisation (MMO), IFCA (Devon & Severn Inshore Fisheries & Conservation Authority), EA Fisheries, The Angling Trust and The Seal Project - who also went along to give specialist advice to the local community.
PC Clarke Orchard, of the Devon & Cornwall Police Rural Affairs Team, explained: “Operation Seabird is a police initiative to raise the profile and awareness around maritime wildlife disturbance and crime and the wider aspect of maritime crime. This was a great opportunity to engage with the local businesses and residents, and we offered forensic property marking for those with small boats, outboard motors and jet skis.
“Forensic property marking is a good idea for anyone who wants to protect their small boats and other marine equipment. These items can be very expensive and if they are securely marked they can be registered and, if stolen, and the items are later recovered, we can reunite them with their rightful owner.
“We are lucky to have some beautiful coastal areas in Devon and Cornwall, and we are on a quest to make sure we can all enjoy the water without nuisance behaviour which could harm wildlife.”
Targeted days of action take place at coastal areas and other stretches of water around the year to focus on the specific concerns regarding wildlife for that area. UK police forces have embraced this operation, working with the MMO and RSPCA in partnership with local nature partnerships and other conservation organisations.
Project Kraken is a joint law enforcement operation tackling maritime border crime. To make a report to UK Border watch via Crimestoppers please call 0800 555111 or report online Report suspicious behaviour around the UK coastline or at sea: Project Kraken - GOV.UK
If you wish to find about more about forensic property marking please contact your local neighbourhood police team. And if you have information regarding wildlife disturbance or maritime crime please call 101 or visit our website Home | Devon & Cornwall Police
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