A PROJECT designed to protect ports and coastal waters from the threat of crime or preparatory acts of terrorism has been implemented in Topsham.

A PROJECT designed to protect ports and coastal waters from the threat of crime or preparatory acts of terrorism has been implemented in Topsham.

Percy Giles, police community support officer for the town, will regularly monitor places including the sailing club, Trouts Boatyard and the retreat, looking out for unusual activity or behaviour.

The assignment is part of Project Kraken, a crime and counter terrorist strategy, to protect the waters of Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

Percy said: "What I want to do is to get the message around that if anyone spots anything suspicious like boats which seem out of place, to report it.

"It could also be people onboard exchanging packages - anything that could be linked to criminal activity. If they do see such things, they should call the police quoting the keyword 'Kracken.'

"There are lots of boat owners in and around Topsham who can be our eyes and eyes."

A spokesperson for the UK Border Agency said Project Kraken provided a mechanism for the reporting of unusual activity or behaviour, believed or suspected to be linked to acts of crime or preparatory acts of terrorism.

"Whilst it is almost impossible to say with any certainty what a criminal or a terrorist may look like, an individual's activity or behaviour can become suspicious in the context of the location they are in.

"Likewise, the unexpected or unusual presence of a vessel or a particular cargo within a small port or marina might just cause reason for concern by those who visit that environment on a regular basis.

"Project Kracken allows for the appropriate deployment of assets and resources from police and its partner agencies in response to a potential or defined threat."

If anyone spots anything suspicious in Topsham's waters, they should call the central Devon and Cornwall Constabulary number on 08452 777444, quoting the words Project Kraken.