Sidmouth police neighbourhood team are gearing up for a busy summer of events and are looking forward to meeting local residents and holidaymakers as they patrol the town.

The team will be mixing with the crowds at this weekend’s Seafest music event in Sidmouth (18 May) and at the International Jazz and Blues Festival, which begins in the town on 23 May. The upcoming school half term and May Bank Holiday are also expected to increase visitors to the area.

Officers will also be out and about during the week-long Sidmouth Folk Festival in August and making sure everyone stays safe and has a good time; this event draws big crowds. The airshow will not take place this year, however the annual seafront fireworks display on 25 August is expected to attract a large number of visitors.

Sidmouth Neighbourhood Beat Manager PC Tom Driver said: “Sidmouth is a great town with plenty going on and we like to make sure we engage with the community and have a chat to the large number of visitors who come to the town at this time of year. The neighbourhood team will be kept busy over the summer and will be helping the public with a whole range of queries and incidents.

“We advise people to allow extra time for travelling in case of traffic or parking issues and make sure they have their phone fully charged, keep an eye on young children and arrange a meeting point in case they are separated from friends or family. Please don’t take risks at the coast, take advice from our RNLI and HM Coastguard UK colleagues and, last but not least, please don’t leave animals in hot cars.” 

A regular police surgery takes place at Sidmouth Library in Blackmore Drive every four weeks on a Wednesday between 10am and midday. The next opportunity to attend a surgery is on Wednesday 5 June and local officers will be available for advice and to help answer any questions or concerns. Officers also plan to return to the Sidmouth donkey sanctuary again next month for a meet the public event, date to be confirmed.    

All officer attendance at events is subject to operational demand.  

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Pic shows (left to right) PCSO Sarah Reece, PC Ross Buckler and PC Tom Driver from the Sidmouth Neighbourhood Team.