A COASTAL initiative to crack down on drug smuggling, organised crime and illegal immigration has paid a visit to Penarth.
The UK Border Agency's ‘Coast Watch Wales’ scheme involves a fleet of five cutters constantly patrolling the coasts of Britain - and one of the fleet, HMC Sentinel, was spotted off Penarth Head last week.
The initiative brings together specialist officers from the various maritime and coastal agencies responsible for the security of Wales's 750 miles of coastline.
Members of the public are also being urged to look out for suspicious activity such as night-time signalling between vessels at sea and people on the shore; large vessels being approached by smaller craft; items or people being landed in remote coastal areas; vessels leaving or arriving at marinas and harbours at irregular times; light aircraft landing on remote beaches and coastal areas; items being attached to marker buoys; and large numbers of passengers embarking or disembarking vessels.
The intelligence will be assessed and investigated by the Coast Watch Wales team.
Information can be given to Coast Watch Wales anonymously via Crimestoppers on: 0800 555 111 For more information, log on at: www.coastwatchwales.gov.uk
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