MORE than 150 arrests and 100 drug seizures have been made during the police’s Operation Loki.

Amongst the arrests in the Police’s neighbourhood policing operation were various offences including anti-social behaviour, drug offences, being drunk and disorderly and assault.

The drugs seized had a street value of more than £6,000. The seizures included cocaine, crack cocaine, and heroin.

Launched on March 20, Op Loki was the force’s response to dealing with ASB, targeting key areas including Torquay, Exeter, Barnstaple, Plymouth, Truro and Falmouth. After success in Torquay, the operation was also expanded to Paignton.

A police spokesperson said: ‘While the operation had a focus on anti-social behaviour and other activities that make communities feel unsafe, officers tailored their policing tactics to each area’s unique issues.

‘This included high-visibility patrols, traffic operations and operations targeting drugs supply.

Residents in Torquay have praised the impact of Operation Loki in Torquay.

The four-week long period of intensification and engagement resulted in 41 arrests and 141 submissions of intelligence, mainly centred around shoplifting, drugs and public order offences.

In Exeter, there were multiple arrests as well as seizures of drugs, knives, and alcohol. Licensing officers visited pubs and clubs to make safety checks and passive drugs dog Skye visited busy shopping areas and Exeter Central train station.

In Plymouth, neighbourhood policing teams across the city used Operation Loki to enhance community engagement by local policing teams. Officers engaged with thousands of people throughout the four weeks, listening to city residents about their concerns.

‘Although Operational Loki has drawn to a close, the Force plans to continue targeted neighbourhood policing. The achievements from Op Loki will be reviewed with the intention that it will develop and continue.’

Assistant Chief Constable (ACC) Glen Mayhew said: ‘Neighbourhood policing is always evolving. This is phase one of Op Loki and we will reflect on the results and look to see how we can repeat it in the future. The feedback on the impact has been positive and we will be working with communities and partner agencies to ensure this continues.’

Alison Hernandez, Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, said: ‘These towns and cities have benefitted from additional investment because partners in councils and other institutes have worked together to secure considerable monies from the Government’s Safer Streets fund.’