Seaton Police give review of the year

After joining Seaton Neighbourhood Policing Team in March, beat manager PC Sam Parfett has given a review of the year, including some of the issues the town has faced and work carried out to target these issues.

He wrote: "I joined the team at the end of March after the departure of PC Beth Salter, who worked tirelessly to resolve a number of issues in the town over her time here at the station. 

"I spent these first few weeks getting out and about and meeting local residents, business owners and councillors alike. Many of you will have likely met me during these patrols, and you can't miss me. There will, however, be many of you who haven't come across me yet and I wouldn't necessarily see that as a bad thing! 

"It was in that first week that I also arrested and charged a local male who drove through Seaton almost crashing into a takeaway and mounting the kerbs as he did so. This male was then disqualified from driving for just under a year. 

"The next month I was at Colyton Primary Academy meeting students whose class names were identical to that of my own, where I went to school some few hundred miles away! I spoke to the children as part of their 'Hopes and Dreams' week to tell them about the work of the police, and the highlight of these talks is always talking to them about my equipment and vehicle, with many children asking whether I could 'taser the teacher'.

"In May, the team collectively sent a dangerous motorbike rider to court after he performed wheelies on Harbour Road, and we also seized the vehicle from the driver. We also dealt with various neighbour disputes and resolved these by working with our colleagues at East Devon District Council to issue all those involved with contracts to prevent future instances of poor behaviour. 

"Her Late Majesty The Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations followed with a host of events across the patch, including a fantastic community event at Cliff Field Gardens courtesy of Seaton Town Council, which was enjoyed by all. 

"This also coincided with PC Craig Amarilli joining the team as the Beat Manager for Seaton Rural – the area covering Colyton, Beer, Branscombe and the other smaller villages. 

"Unfortunately, whilst everyone enjoyed the jubilee celebrations, damage was caused to the public toilets at Thury-Harcourt Place on The Underfleet and a children's play park in Colyford. Following an investigation, two young males were located in Dorset whose handwriting matched the racist and homophobic graffiti, and both were swiftly dealt with by the Devon Youth Justice Services (formerly Youth Offending Team) after admitting to their involvement.

"In June, the team worked in partnership with Sovereign Housing to issue an Acceptable Behaviour Contract to a couple who were causing anti-social behaviour to a number of their neighbours and having a serious impact on their quality of life, and we're pleased to report that their behaviour has massively improved in the time since. 

"July saw temperature increasing and we were invited to a number of local village fayres to provide crime prevention advice and meet the community. 

"We attended the Seaton Natural Festival organised by the Seaton Tramway, engaged with tombstoners at the mouth of Axmouth Harbour and assisted our colleagues in responding to a number of emergencies across the area, including some serious road traffic collisions. 

"In August, Seaton Tesco were hit by an organised shoplifting gang that had been causing havoc across the country. The Neighbourhood Policing Team obtained evidence from Tesco to assist in the prosecution of the individuals who had been arrested by Regional Organised Crime officers down in Plymouth. This month also saw the Rural Affairs tractor making a visit to the seafront to provide engagement with visiting tourists and children. 

"After months of planning, the annual Seaton illuminated carnival made its return to Seaton in September, and what a wonderful job the carnival committee and all those involved did in making it a memorable occasion. 

"The Seaton team, supported by officers from the Special Constabulary, were out in high-visibility during the carnival, and spotted a male who attempted to avoid them and detour through the skate park. 

"The male, despite best efforts, was stopped and found to be in possession of a significant amount of cannabis, scales and small bags. He is currently awaiting his fate from Devon Youth Justice Services, but is unlikely to return to Seaton any time soon. A number of local and visiting youths also had alcohol confiscated and parents were issued with warning letters. 

"The Colyton Carnival also made its return and went without incident, although during this time Seaton suffered a spate of burglaries which appeared to have been carried out professionally. 

"A significant investigation followed this, and one male was arrested, although unfortunately no further lines of enquiry became apparent. It was, however, clear that from reviewing the CCTV the offender was in fact interrupted by a passing police patrol and fled the area. 

"October unfortunately brought about a series of incidents involving youths which involved several beach huts being broken into, the post office having its window smashed and items taken, several cars being accessed, and a vehicle being set fire to. The investigation into a number of these incidents is still ongoing, and I'll hopefully be able to update you on the outcomes of these soon. 

"Fortunately, the swift action of some of my colleagues meant that those responsible were arrested and the victims and community could receive the result that they deserve. 

"I'd like to take this opportunity to reassure the residents that this sort of behaviour is not a regular occurrence in our town. We have the occasional incident of graffiti or some lewd behaviour, but a number of the individuals responsible for this behaviour were not local youths, and obviously saw our town as a 'soft target'. 

"I've already been working hard with Seaton Town Council and East Devon District Council around safety improvements to the area including CCTV systems, but these developments do take time.

"In November, I attended the annual Remembrance Service at St Gregory's Church and laid a wreath on behalf of Devon & Cornwall Police. I've also been away for a short while completing some further training to ensure that I can provide the best possible service to the residents of our beautiful town. 

:I'd like to end by thanking the community for their support in the (almost) year that I've been here. Despite being a younger Neighbourhood Beat Manager, I'm old at heart, and my values are very much that of the old 'bobby on the beat'. 

"Please remember that while you might not always see me or my colleagues, I am nearly always here, more often than I'm at home in some cases! Seaton Police Station is not manned 24/7, but the presence of vehicles outside the station doesn't mean a thing. I'm often on foot patrol, or I might well be in the station completing paperwork. 

"If you want to speak to one of us, please knock on the door and say hello. If you get no response, it's only because we're out. 

"On that note, the Police & Crime Commissioner's Office is currently asking the public for their views on which police station front counter they want re-opened, so I'd urge you to go online and complete this survey.

"I'd like to round off by wishing you all a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year and look forward to spending another year policing our beautiful town."