Devon rangers keep moor safe with evening patrols

Dartmoor National Park Authority said its evening patrols help make the moors a "safe and fun place"

Rangers on Dartmoor have begun evening patrols as the summer holiday season gets under way.

Six marshals would help tackle a range of anti-social behaviour, by-law infractions and offer "help and reassurance" to the public.

Dartmoor National Park Authority said it was the fifth year of running the scheme which provided extra support to its existing rangers.

Last summer, the authority said it handled over 200 incidents which included stopping an illegal rave and dealing and six reports of homeless people living on the moor.

'Addressing antisocial behaviour'

Head ranger, Simon Lee, said the marshals should help keep the moor a "safe and fun place for everyone to enjoy".

“We ask people to keep their dogs on a lead, we have had over 70 attacks and livestock so far this year," he said.

"They might have conversations with fly campers, that’s inappropriate camping where people need to understand what backpack camping is and where they can camp and leave no trace.

"It’s also about addressing antisocial behaviour, whether that’s drinking alcohol, taking drugs or fly tipping and off-road driving “

The authority also said in 2023, marshals went out on 44 separate evenings and clocked up over 1,000 hours of patrol time.

Alex Cochran said being a marshal for National Park Authority was a 'privilege'

Ex serviceman Alex Cochran described the job as "ideal" and a "privilege".

He said: “I'm always on Dartmoor. During my spare time I go out walking 12 months of the year.

"I normally work in security at Derriford Hospital which can be quite challenging so to be asked to be a marshal on Dartmoor is quite a privilege.”

The scheme is a partnership between the National Park Authority, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, the National Trust, the Duchy of Cornwall, a local landowner and Okehampton Hamlets Parish Council.

The authority added the marshals would be in place until September.