PEOPLE living near the Exmoor coast are being asked to watch out for small boats which could be bringing illegal migrants into the country.

Police have been circulating posters across the area which publicise Project Kraken, a law enforcement initiative led by Border Force, the National Crime Agency, and the Home Office.

The national initiative aims to raise public awareness of terrorism and criminal or suspicious activity around coasts and borders.

It mostly tackles maritime border crime such as illegal migration or drug smuggling and has partnered with CrimeStoppers to set up a dedicated coastal crime line 0800 011 3304 for people to report suspicious behaviour.

Avon and Somerset Constabulary’s Exmoor neighbourhood policing team has been distributing literature to make people aware of Project Kraken.

The leaflets contain messages such as ‘Boats arriving at unusual times?’ and ‘Strange activity by the shore?’ and urge people to call the coastal crime line to anonymously report their suspicions, or to use 999 if it is an emergency.

A Home Office spokesperson said: “Coastal crime is any crime that has an impact on, or happens around, our coasts and borders, including smaller ports, docks, and marinas.

“Crimes include theft, smuggling, and criminal damage.

“Border Force covers over 11,000 miles of mainland coastline, operating in and around small ports and marinas.

“It raises vigilance and awareness of suspicious behaviour which may be linked to terrorism or other serious crime.”

Suspicious behaviour can be boats moored up in strange or isolated places or at strange times, boats coming together and meeting up with items being exchanged, boats unloading scared or suspicious people, or unloading packages, people trying to signal or guide boats offshore or putting objects into waterways near bridges or marinas, or people loitering with no sense of purpose, or acting nervously.