Devon & Cornwall Police News site

Police in Liskeard recently took to the trains as part of their ongoing efforts to disrupt criminal activity linked to rail networks, including county lines.

Officers from the local neighbourhood team carried out numerous high-visibility patrols on trains passing through their patch to engage with those on board.

The focus was on deterring organised crime groups from transporting illegal substances into smaller towns, as well as safeguarding the vulnerable people exploited into carrying them.

This illegal activity is known as county lines.

PS Gary Smith, who patrolled the trains, said: “Patrols like these are just another way that we’re working with our partners, such as British Transport Police, to tackle crime from all angles.

“Our aim was to show the public – and offenders – that we are present, we are visible and that we will not allow the train network to be used for criminality.

“Ultimately, we want to keep everyone safe and prevent crime from happening in the first place - patrols like this play a key part in doing just that.”

British Transport Police carry out similar highly visible policing on board trains across the country year round with the aim of deterring crime and reassuring the public, and to detect and stop child and other vulnerable person criminal exploitation.

The recent activity carried out by Devon & Cornwall Police formed part of Operation Scorpion, which is a targeted week focusing on disrupting the supply of harmful drugs into the region and reducing the associated antisocial behaviour, crime and violence that blight local communities.

In Devon and Cornwall, the week of action saw:

• 17 people were safeguarded (14 adults, 3 under 18)
• 17 people were arrested
• 14 cuckooed addresses were visited – where criminals take over someone's home to use it as a base for crime
• 1.5g of crack seized
• 0.15g heroin seized
• 2239.8g cocaine seized
• 50g of cannabis resin seized
• £12,013 in cash seized
• 7 weapons seized – including 4 air weapons, 1 knuckleduster and 1 telescopic baton

Running at the same time, organised by the National County Lines Coordination Centre, was a week of concentration on safeguarding vulnerable people who are drawn into criminal activity and exploited.

If you see a crime taking place at a train station or on the railway, report it to British Transport Police online: Report a crime | British Transport Police or by texting 61016.

For any other non-emergencies, report it to Devon & Cornwall Police: Report a crime | Devon & Cornwall Police

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