Crackdown on Dartmoor crime (From This is The West Country)

Crackdown on Dartmoor crime

9:39am Friday 26th March 2010

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POLICE are attempting to crackdown on criminals who target remote Dartmoor properties.

The new campagn dubbed Moorwatch will use new technology and traditional methods in a bid to stamp out crim on the moor.

The move follows investigations into the vibrant black market in high end farm and garden machinery in the area.

Originally Moorwatch was implemented to tackle crime against vehicles parked by moor users in remote locations, but thefts of expensive items like quad bikes, sit-on lawn mowers, horse tack and other equipment meant it has been extended to focus on other crime.

A police spokesman said that the last year has seen an increase in burglaries from garden sheds and outbuildings, most committed at night and most involving a vehicle.

Sergeant Fran Bennett, crime reduction officer for Teignbridge: “Farming equipment is valuable and sought after by thieves as there is a ready black market.

“The moor suffers from other crimes such as theft from outbuildings and we urge the farming community, especially around Chagford and Moretonhamptstead, to be vigilant and to ensure all machinery and vehicles are secure when not being used.”

Moorwatch is a collaboration between the police, Dartmoor National Park, the fire service, local authorities and farming groups such as The Dartmoor Partnership and the Dartmoor Commoners Association.

“Although crime on the moor is relatively low in comparison to other parts of the country, the types of crime are very specific,” said Sergeant Bennett.

“Much of the policing will be driven by the neighbourhood teams who will be supported by their patrol colleagues, but we will be using Automatic Number Plate Recognition system (ANPR) to detect and deter known criminals.

“We are determined to keep Dartmoor the beautiful low crime area that it always has been for local residents and visitors.”

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