Totnes Police

29/09/2026

🚨 COURT RESULT – THEFT 🚨

Think it’s okay to come to Totnes and steal from our shops?

Think again.

You may remember our Facebook appeal, when we asked for witnesses following a suspected robbery at Holland & Barrett on Fore Street, Totnes.

Thanks to information provided by our wonderful Totnes community, and following a tenacious investigation by officers from the Totnes Neighbourhood Team, we identified two offenders who had travelled to Totnes from London.

But that wasn’t the end of the story.

Our investigation uncovered a further 18 offences of theft from Holland & Barrett stores across 12 police force areas in England and Wales, all committed by the two offenders over a six-week period.

The total value of the stolen goods exceeded £7,000.

Members of Totnes Neighbourhood Team travelled to London to arrest, interview and charge the offenders, and later returned to London to ensure the offenders attended court to face the charges.

Andrzej Ciorun, aged 27, of Hornchurch Road, Hornchurch and Kasjan Papis, aged 20, of Richmond Road, Ilford have now been found guilty at Barkingside Magistrates’ Court of the 19 theft offences from Holland & Barrett stores nationwide. They were each sentenced to 120 hours of unpaid work, rehabilitation activity requirements and a 12-month exclusion from all Holland & Barrett store in England and Wales.

PC Zoe Carter, Neighbourhood Beat Manager for Totnes, said: “Some people may be disappointed with the sentence handed down, particularly given the impact these offences have had on the staff affected, as well as the significant amount of police time required to investigate them. Shoplifting is not a victimless crime. I hope that the fact these offenders were identified, arrested and charged for their offending serves as a deterrent to others who may consider travelling to Totnes to commit crime. We will continue to work closely with our local businesses and community to identify offenders and hold them accountable for their actions.”

To the people of our Totnes community — the vast majority of whom are fantastic — thank you for continuing to look out for our local businesses and support our amazing High Street!

23/09/2026

Good Morning Totnesians 👋

Have you heard of the HERBERT PROTOCOL?

One of the biggest aspects of modern-day Policing is quite rightly safeguarding those most vulnerable in our community.

People with dementia may sometimes go missing, as the condition can affect the parts of the brain used for memory, navigation and problem-solving.

Carers, family or friends of a vulnerable person can fill in a Herbert Protocol form in advance, which is used to help the police if the person goes missing.

Keeping a completed form means you do not have to try to remember the information when you are under stress if someone goes missing. It also saves time, so we can start the search sooner.

Totnes Neighbourhood Team have seen first hand the benefits of the Herbert Protocol when searching for missing people with dementia.

A link to the Herbert Protocol form and further guidance is below. Please spread awareness!

If you have any questions about the Herbert Protocol, or would like assistance completing the form, please attend our Police Surgery at Totnes Methodist Church, Fore Street, Totnes at 10:00am 25th September 2026, where PCSO Jason Vasey would be more than happy to assist.

https://orlo.uk/q3XcM

11/09/2026

Howdy Totnesians 👋

Officers from the Neighbourhood Policing Team recently acted on concerns raised by members of the local community regarding the welfare and immigration status of individuals working in Totnes.

Following enquiries conducted in partnership with Immigration Enforcement, two individuals were arrested for immigration offences. Appropriate action has been taken by the relevant authorities, and information has also been shared with partner agencies, including Trading Standards.

Totnes Police takes all reports of suspected illegal working, labour exploitation, human trafficking and modern slavery seriously. Illegal migration and illegal working can place vulnerable individuals at risk of exploitation and may undermine legitimate businesses that comply with employment, taxation and regulatory requirements.

We recognise that illegal migration is a matter of legitimate public concern. Where offences are identified, we will work with our partners to investigate proportionately and take appropriate enforcement action. Equally, we remain committed to identifying and safeguarding those who may be victims of exploitation, coercion or modern slavery.

This case highlights the importance of information provided by local residents. Reports from the community often provide the first indication that a vulnerable person may be at risk or that criminal offences are taking place.

Signs of labour exploitation can include:

🤕 Individuals working in poor or unsafe conditions.
⏰ Excessively long working hours.
🔫 Workers appearing controlled by others.
🔨 Poor living conditions linked to employment.
👮🏻‍♂️ Individuals who appear fearful, withdrawn or unable to speak fluently/freely.

We would encourage anyone with concerns about exploitation, modern slavery, illegal working or other criminal activity to report information to Devon & Cornwall Police.

Thank you to the local residents who brought their concerns to our attention and continue to help keep our communities safe!

02/09/2026

We recently made several arrests in connection with suspected drug driving following an unauthorised music event in the South Brent area.

Officers carried out checks and and spoke to motorists to prevent further drink and drug driving offences. A number of drivers failed roadside drug wipe tests and were taken into custody.

Inspector Wes Watkins explained: “Our presence at the site was about prevention. We wanted to engage early with those present to deter them from driving whilst under the influence of drink or drugs, as we know this is one of the five main causes of serious injuries and deaths on our roads.”

If you have information about an unauthorised music event please contact Devon & Cornwall Police or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

For the full details of the operation please visit our website https://orlo.uk/5vp9D

27/08/2026

Bank Holiday! | Have a safe TRIP

Whether you’re leaving the south west or coming to visit, have a safe and enjoyable summer holiday road trip.

Follow the T.R.I.P. checks every driver needs to perform to keep themselves, their passengers and other road users safe.

TOP UP your fuel or battery, oil and screen wash
REST with planned stops of at least 15 minutes every two hours
INSPECT tyre pressure, tread depth and for cracks or tears before setting out
PREPARE for all weather conditions…it may be very hot, or we may have rain and thunderstorms

We’ll add that SPEED limits are there for your safety, they are not a target. Drive within the limit and to prevailing road, weather and traffic conditions. So, TRIPS: as easy to remember as TRIP.

🚗 Have a great bank holiday! 😎

(More on road safety in the comments 👇 )

22/08/2026

Enjoying the summer sun? Stay alert and be aware of your surroundings. Report anything that doesn’t feel right to security or report online in confidence at https://orlo.uk/07368

In an emergency call 999.

Remember, action counters terrorism.

If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts—report it to Counter Terrorism Policing. Share concerns in confidence and help keep the public safe.

15/08/2026

Enjoying the summer sun? Stay alert and be aware of your surroundings. Report anything that doesn’t feel right to security or report online in confidence at https://orlo.uk/TjyIn

In an emergency call 999.

Remember, action counters terrorism.

If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts—report it to Counter Terrorism Policing. Share concerns in confidence and help keep the public safe.

10/08/2026

Eclipse! | Keep yourself and everyone else safe

😎 Sound advice about watching the eclipse on Wednesday from David Jones, Consultant Ophthalmologist with the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust. Click on the link.

🚗 If you are traveling to a vantage point to watch, please park safely and responsibly in official car parks and marked areas, don’t cause an obstacle by parking on verges, kerbs or pavements. Emergency vehicles need access everywhere at all times 🚑

🔥 Avoid the use of barbecues and be careful with disposing of ci******es, especially in countryside locations – it’s tinder dry out there. Please take your litter home with you.

☀️ Enjoy this rare and stunning event safely and responsibly.

08/08/2026

Enjoying the summer sun? Stay alert and be aware of your surroundings. Report anything that doesn’t feel right to security or report online in confidence at https://orlo.uk/KWSGs

In an emergency call 999.

Remember, action counters terrorism.

If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts—report it to Counter Terrorism Policing. Share concerns in confidence and help keep the public safe.

04/08/2026

APPEAL | We are appealing for the help of the public to identify this man in relation to an indecent exposure report in Totnes.

At around 11.30am on 27 June a man exposed himself in the Vire Island area in front of members of the public.

Various enquiries have been ongoing since the incident was reported and we are now in position to release an image to the public.

It is believed the man pictured may be able to assist with enquiries.

Anybody who can help identify him is asked to call 101 or visit our website quoting 50260165799.