Council and Police join forces for Marine Patrols

Release Date: August 2009

Torbay Council has teamed up with the police to carry out marine patrols this summer.

Staff from the Harbour and Marine Services business unit regularly patrol the Bay in the council’s beach patrol launch "Oscar 4."

Now, they have enlisted the backing of local police officers and police community support officers to join them on various patrols during the peak holiday period.

Cllr Robert Horne, Chairman of Torbay Council's Harbour Committee, said: "We have many wonderful facilities in Torbay, and we want everyone to have a great time. Our harbours, beaches, coastline and sea are enjoyed by thousands of local residents and visitors, the vast majority of whom are perfectly sensible and well behaved.

"However, unfortunately there are times when we suffer anti-social behaviour by a minority of people, sometimes to the detriment of others, and putting their own and other people's safety at risk.

"In addition to anti-social behaviour on beaches, we also have problems with a small number of boat and jet-ski owners. Another concern is that despite repeated warnings about the dangers of tombstoning, we still receive reports of people jumping into the water from high places and cliffs.

"Harbour and council staff do a great job dealing with reported incidents, but regrettably they sometimes get abuse from people they are dealing with, even those they are trying to help and warn about the danger of activities such as tombstoning, and this is totally unacceptable.

"We have decided to join forces with the police, and we are grateful to them for agreeing to work in partnership with us. They will be providing support in dealing with various incidents, and helping us to offer advice and education where danger is involved, such as cliff jumping activities and dangerous navigation."

Capt Kevin Mowat, Executive Head of Marine Services, said: "We are committed to ensuring that the Bay's waters, beaches and coastline offer a safe and trouble-free environment, with harbour staff and the police offering public reassurance and providing advice.

"Whilst our own staff already deliver an invaluable and well received patrol service, we are delighted to welcome the police on board our beach patrol craft in support of our activities across the Bay and to help promote another aspect of community safety."