New police ATV to assist shield rural Bodmin Moor space

Devon and Cornwall Police have deployed the realm’s first ATV policing automobile within the Bodmin Moor space with the goal of defending its group and livestock.

Managed by the Bodmin Moor rural crime initiative, cops and volunteers can be utilizing the automobile to patrol Cornwall’s countryside space spanning over 80 miles.

The 4WD Kubota ATV is now marked with police livery, with emergency lighting and a siren put in. It’ll even be outfitted with binoculars and a thermal imager.

Devon and Cornwall Police is internet hosting a group drop-in occasion on Bodmin Moor on the store in Blisland tomorrow (Thursday, February 16) the place members of the general public can view the automobile and find out about rural crime policing within the space.

Police and crime commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, Alison Hernandez mentioned the automobile would improve policing within the space and assist in the battle in opposition to rural crime which is “a priority for a lot of throughout our drive space”.

“By their very nature, distant areas resembling Bodmin Moor may be difficult to police, and so I’m happy to assist fund this all-terrain automobile which is able to show an important software in holding rural communities protected from felony exercise.”

Hernandez mentioned the automobile would additionally assist in the safeguarding livestock and wildlife, and assist make sure the land is protected for the “lawful use and pleasure of everybody”.

“Not solely is that this ATV an progressive useful resource for rural crime prevention, however know-how together with thermal imaging and the power to navigate difficult terrain in harsh circumstances will even show invaluable within the seek for individuals lacking on the moor, and will make all of the distinction in saving somebody’s life,” she mentioned.

Bodmin Moor

Devon and Cornwall Police’s rural affairs officer, PC Chris Collins, mentioned the variety of felony incidents on Bodmin Moor have been growing through the previous few years, which “included illegal encampments, delinquent behaviour and unlicensed music occasions”.

“In response, we regarded for methods to reinforce our group policing of the realm, we frequently overlook the truth that Bodmin Moor is usually privately owned and managed, with many areas of widespread grazing land used for farming and livestock,” he mentioned.

“It’s lined with designations resembling Websites of Particular Scientific Curiosity and entry land and may be susceptible to interference from unauthorised exercise.”

Collins mentioned the drive was impressed by conversations on the Royal Cornwall Present in June of 2022, and settled on Kubota RTV for its “sturdiness and its potential to entry probably the most difficult elements of the countryside in all climate circumstances”.

“This ATV will allow us to see and be seen by communities in villages and hamlets throughout the moor to help our communities regardless of the climate or state of terrain,” he mentioned.

“We will remind individuals of the necessity to respect the countryside, livestock and communities in difficult conditions the place off-road entry will be the reply to life or dying for an animal or individual exploring the moor.”