POLICE recently carried out a road safety operation on Dartmoor aimed at keeping motorists, visitors and animals safe, with officers reporting speeding drivers, parking offences and other incidents.

The operation, which took place earlier in August, saw Devon & Cornwall Police work alongside Dartmoor National Park Authority rangers.

High-visibility patrols were carried out across the moor, while volunteer Special Constables patrolled key areas and helped operate a vehicle stop site at Postbridge.

Temporary Special Superintendent Alex McKnight said officers stopped and spoke to members of the public at visitor hotspots, including Haytor and Widecombe-in-the-Moor.

“Speeding can cause collisions with people and wildlife, including native ponies or horse riders,” he said. “We work closely with the national park authority to promote road safety and protect this fantastic countryside for generations to come.”

The operation resulted in four vehicles being reported for excessive speed, with the highest recorded speed being 67mph outside Postbridge.

Several motorcyclists seen exceeding the speed limit were spoken to by officers.

At the vehicle stop site, ten vehicles were stopped and drivers were given advice about taking ‘moor care’ when travelling across Dartmoor.

Officers also stopped two drivers who were found to have no MOT, while one person was arrested for breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Two Fixed Penalty Warning Notices were issued for inconsiderate parking at New Bridge and Spitchwick.

Police also said the operation had received positive feedback from local people.

Officers also met Dartmoor rangers at Postbridge and were pleased that no disposable barbecues or fires were found during foot patrols at Spitchwick and other locations.

The operation included an unmarked ANPR [Automatic Number Plate Recognition] traffic car on mobile patrol, along with two marked police vehicles and roadside speed detection equipment.

Officers targeted key roads and locations including Two Bridges, Postbridge and Bennett’s Cross. Patrols were also undertaken over the bank holiday weekend.