Saltash Police to knock on doors after fire and Waterside disorder

Saltash Police have posted a lengthy appeal to parents in the town, and the same question runs through all of it: do you know where your children are? It follows a fortnight of incidents that officers say has stretched from a wildfire on a nature reserve to trouble at the Waterside, with home visits now being planned.

A wildfire at Churchtown Nature Reserve

On Friday 17 July, a wildfire broke out at Churchtown Nature Reserve at Point Field. Fire crews believe it was started by a firework. As colleagues attended and put the fire out, they saw children running up Wearde Road. Police say the blaze destroyed plants and wildlife, and have described it as senseless arson.

Anyone with information is asked to report it via 101 or 101 online, quoting occurrence 50260 188189.

Two weeks of trouble at the Waterside

Over the past two weeks, officers say they have been called repeatedly to the Waterside and pontoon over the behaviour of children. According to the police, youths have climbed over the locked gate to reach the pontoon, climbed on boats and caused damage, and tried to untie and set loose the safety boat. Some, they say, have been rude to members of the public.

Police also report that children have entered businesses and intimidated staff and customers, and ruined meals by filming people. Officers say they have identified a number of those involved and will be visiting parents to issue anti-social behaviour warnings and complete their investigations.

Shoplifting and e-bikes on Fore Street

In the last week, police say they have attended several businesses on Fore Street following reports of shoplifting, dangerous cycle riding, e-bikes ridden on pavements and roads, and anti-social behaviour. With help from the public and CCTV, officers say they have identified a number of children and will be knocking on doors next week.

What Saltash Police say happens next

The force says all of these incidents, along with the home visits and investigations that follow, take officers away from other work. When people ask what the police are doing, officers say the answer is often “dealing with, and safeguarding children”.

Saltash Police say they are not the “Fun Police”. But they have warned that if the behaviour continues, they will use exclusion powers. Anyone in the area of the Waterside, Fore Street and the retail parks who is involved in anti-social behaviour could be directed to leave and not return for 48 hours. Anyone who comes back within that time can be arrested, with further anti-social behaviour action taken and parents visited.

The appeal ends with a request to parents to check where their children are and to make sure they treat others with dignity and respect. Do that, the force says, and they will be very welcome in Saltash.

Police are asking for anti-social behaviour to be reported via 101 or 101 online. If those responsible are still on the scene, call 999.