Alison Hernandez, who’s Devon and Cornwall Police area receives more domestic visitor than any other, warned that coastal roads, beauty spots and town centres are likely to be ‘exceptionally busy’ this weekend.
She has spent recent weeks putting together teams of security industry regulated marshals to help keep people safe in 20 areas, like Newquay, St Ives, Torquay and Exmouth, which traditionally receive large numbers of summer visitors.
On Dartmoor marshals funded by the PCC are helping the national park authority to enforce a camping ban that was brought in after a site of historic importance was left strewn with rubbish and human waste.
The Safer Summer Scheme also offers councils in Devon and Cornwall the ability to fund temporary toilets.
“It’s great that tourists can return to Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, and the vast majority are well behaved and welcomed by communities that rely on them for their livelihoods,” she said.
“I am pleased to be able to offer practical support to those communities that this year have the added complication of Covid-19 regulations.
“With its stunning beaches, vibrant cities and towns and rolling moors the Westcountry has much to offer. This weekend though the forecast is for some unusually hot weather and I will be asking people to allow extra time for their journeys, pack extra suncream and be cautious with their alcohol consumption.
“I want residents and visitors to take extra care around the sea – tragically two men have lost their lives on one beach in Cornwall this year. The sun can also be very dangerous at this time of year. I am used to life here but got caught out and burned while visiting our beach marshals in Newquay.
“We are blessed with the lowest crime rate in the country but our emergency services do become extremely busy dealing with incidents like missing people at this time of year and we don’t want them swamped with issues that can be avoided by taking a few simple steps.”