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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Travel
John Bett & Andy Rudd

'Armed police' sent to Cornwall holiday let over alleged breach of lockdown rules

A holiday home owner has complained to the police watchdog after claiming armed officers were sent to his property to ensure he was obeying lockdown.

Shaun Pritchard had guests staying in one of his properties when the lockdown was first announced in March.

He claims he contacted police at that time, and told cops the guests left a few days later.

Since then he said the house has been used by key workers, including a nurse.

But he was reported to the police, and Shaun has now accused Devon and Cornwall Police of being 'heavy handed' for sending armed police to the house in St Newlyn East, Cornwall.

Shaun told the BBC: "The local community that I live in are not really fans of holiday lets."

He added that he has received two visits from police and had been checked on by the council twice.

In his complaint to the IOPC, Mr Pritchard wrote: "On this occasion we feel that this is now a matter of harassment.

"We are extremely concerned that on the most recent occasion, police felt it expedient to send two armed officers for an alleged breach of a holiday let being open."

He said the two officers gained access to his property without consent via another property's private access.

The police force said they attended the property on June 11 but that no arrests were made.

Devon and Cornwall Police said: "While complaints are under review, we are unable to comment further."

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