Anti Social Behaviour

Issued 07 October 2025

To work with our local communities to identify areas where Anti Social behaviour is prevalent.
To work in partnership with local councils, housing associations and other organisations, to form problem solving plans to reduce as much as possible any form of Anti Social behaviour.
We will carry out high visibility patrols and engage with those present and to reassure our communities
Where necessary we will use both criminal law and civil injunctions against those who are persistently responsible for Anti social behaviour



Anti-Social Behaviour

Members of the Neighbourhood Police Team have been conducting Hi Visibility patrols around The Ashburton and Buckfastleigh area.
We have carried out partnership work with the Dartmoor Rangers engaging with visitors across Dartmoor. At this time of year, the number of visitors to the area can clash with the requirements of both local communities and livestock on the Moor.
Speeding vehicles, Barbecues, noise and litter are often some of the complaints made to the Rangers and Police.

August Update

Members of the Neighbourhood Team have been working with the Community Safety partnership to issue Community Protection Warnings and Community Protection Notices in relation to Anti Social Behaviour and criminality. We are also looking to utilise the process to deal with street drinking in the area causing a nuisance.
Members of the team also took part in the patrolling areas on Dartmoor which have historically been the sites of unlicensed music events (Raves).
No such events happened over the Bank holiday weekend but there was engagement with visitors to the area.

September updates
Local Neighbourhood Officers have been made aware of an incident of 4X4 vehicles accessing private areas without owner’s permission to engage in off road motoring.
This incident involved a local quarry where access was gained, and 3 vehicles appeared to be racing around the dirt tracks.
Police attended and seized one vehicle; 2 other drivers were issued with section 59 warning notices for driving in an anti-social manner. The section 59 warning means if either vehicle is seen driving in an anti-social manner again or if either driver is seen driving any vehicle in an anti-social manner, the vehicle can be seized.
Illegally accessing any site would be at least a trespass offence but may also involve criminal damage or other offences. You also leave yourself open to the anti-social behaviour process.
Quarries in particular can be very dangerous places to access with often unseen hazards.
Please if you engage in off roading activity in any vehicle, do not access private land without the owner’s permission.
Remember your vehicle must be road worthy to drive on any highway including green lanes.
Respect others using the area who may be on foot, a bicycle or horse.





November updates

Over the last month we have been called to incidents of ASB where young people have been playing loud music late at night in park areas. Units have attended however on one occasion those present made off and on the other occasion no one was found.
We continue to patrol these areas when possible.
Over the Halloween period we had patrols out across the area interacting with those taking part in the evening’s events. no calls reporting anti-social behaviour related to the evening were received which is a great endorsement to the youngsters that enjoyed the evening.
We continue to work with partners in dealing with anti-social tenants and have issued Community protection warnings and notices against those who refuse to stop their behaviour. We are looking at a partial house closure on one of our persistent offenders.
We are aware that there are always to sides to a story however, when evidence identifies a main offender, if they refuse to modify their behaviour, we have the tools to deal with it through both civil and criminal law.
We have had some reports of anti-social driving with the use of the tittle “boy racers” being used by those reporting.
We will look to engage with these drivers and deal with any offending found. Due to their age and relatively short driving experience, they have a lot to lose very quickly.

Actioned 05 November 2025

Disruption of Drug supply and use

Issued 07 October 2025

To identify areas where there drug use takes place, and to identify those involved in both the supply and use of illegal drugs.
To support our communities by providing high visibility reassurance patrols and engage with our communities to identify their concerns.
To engage with our schools and other learning establishments to provide support to them and their pupils
To work with our Police colleagues, councils and other organisations to identify specific areas or persons of concerns and have a proactive response to preventing offending.

Drug Supply interruption.
Carrying out speed checks in Ashburton a driver was stopped and found to be under the influence of drugs as well as being in possession of drugs and driving whist disqualified.
Intelligence is being monitored from within our communities to identify persons, vehicles and areas linked to drug use.

August Update

Officers continue to disrupt drug activity, and acting on community intelligence a male in Buckfastleigh has been arrested for a number of criminal offences including possession of offensive weapons, possession of cannabis, public order and criminal damage.
Other items were located included a throwing knife and 2 BB gas cylinder guns all of which were disclaimed by the offender, who is now waiting sentencing at court.

We will continue to work with our colleagues, communities and partners to tackle this type of criminality.

November update

We have continued to be intelligence focus led to identify people and areas highlighted as being linked to drug use and supply.
A vehicle was found to contain white powder which is currently being tested to identify if it is a class A drug. This has also led to a house search using Police powers.
Local postal / distribution have identified a suspicious package containing what was believed to be cannabis. Officers attended and seized the package and are investigating the find. This sort of seizure can help with identifying those who import drugs using the various courier systems.
Local Police officers have been trained on using drug swipes at the scene of any vehicle stop/ accident where there is a suspicion of impairment through drug use.

Neighbourhood officers from Ashburton are currently investigation several parcels which have been intercepted by Border Force and local Delivery Agents where a quantity of drugs have been located and seized. Both Neighbourhood Teams along with Police Dog KEN conducted a search at an address in Brixham following enquiries where quantity of cannabis was sniffed out by KEN and subsequently seized by officers. A local male from Brixham is now assisting Police with their enquiries and KEN got his usual favourite toy reward

Actioned 24 November 2025

Responding to Theft from Shops

Issued 07 October 2025

We will be engaging with our retail outlets to listen to their concerns, give security advice when required and gather evidence to support any action against offenders.
We will work with our colleagues particularly where children or young people are involved to ensure they are safeguarded as well as being aware of the potential criminality of their actions.
We will deal with prolific thieves using banning letters, civil orders and where necessary the criminal justice system to make them take responsibilities for their actions

Theft from shops

Patrols of the high street in both Ashburton and Buckfastleigh have taken place in support of our retail outlets. We will be out in the next month responding to any reports of thefts from our retail community.

November updates

Locally we have had very few reports of this type of theft.
We are this month increasing our patrols of shopping areas on the run up to the Christmas period. You will see an increased presence particularly of late-night shopping or Christmas market events to reassure our communities and deter offenders.
We will be liaising with our shop staff when out and about to support them and help where required.

Actioned 08 November 2025