Tavistock emergency services day returns to town centre later this month
Organisers have confirmed that the multi-agency community safety event will return to Bedford Square on Saturday, 20 June, featuring police dogs, drone teams, and Dartmoor rescue vehicles
Tavistock is preparing to host its second annual multi-agency day later this month, bringing emergency services, search teams, and community safety groups directly into the West Devon town’s centre.
Following its initial launch last year, the free public event will return to Bedford Square and the Guildhall Car Park on Saturday, 20 June 2026, running from 10:00am to 4:00pm.
Organised by Tavistock-based Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Debbie Hollinson, the event is designed to give West Devon residents an interactive look at modern policing and emergency response work.
Visitors will have the opportunity to meet specialist frontline teams, including police drone pilots, the regional dive team, and police dogs.
Personnel and vehicles from Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, South Western Ambulance Service, and Dartmoor National Park Rangers will also be stationed across the site.
Demonstrations on the day will include a look at modern policing technology, featuring an operational knife arch and facial recognition CCTV units, alongside support from local police cadets.
PCSO Hollinson stated that the day aims to highlight public services that regularly operate out of sight.
“We have created a community day which is inclusive, fun, interactive and educational, providing something of interest for all ages… and we hope it will become an annual event.
“We have some truly fantastic partnerships in West Devon; working closely with people who do valuable work behind the scenes, which often goes unnoticed or unappreciated.
“This event is a chance for members of the public to meet the inspiring people who work to keep us safe, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.”
Other participating organisations include the volunteer-run South West Blood Bikes, which provides out-of-hours transportation for essential medical supplies between hospitals, and local Street Pastors.
Representatives from the South Devon and Dartmoor Community Safety Partnership, which coordinates safety initiatives between the police, local councils, the NHS, and youth justice services, will also be on hand to discuss local crime prevention.
Organisers have advised that standard town car parks within walking distance will remain open, including:
- Bedford and Wharf car parks on Canal Road,
- Riverside on Pixon Lane,
- Russell Street,
- Bank Square on Market Street, and
- Brook Street multi-storey.
Public toilets are available next to the Guildhall car park, at the main bus station, and on Canal Road.