Latest figures show 50 per cent drop.

Crime in Honiton is down 50 per cent on the same period last year, according to the latest figures for the town area.

PCSO Steve Mingo, who recently joined the neighbourhood policing team, told Honiton Town Council at a meeting last week that the total number of recordable offences for the period May 13 to June 6 was 36 – compared to 72 during the same period last year.

Of these, there were two that were classed as public order offences, two other burglaries, seven thefts, six criminal damages, five assaults, two drink-drives and two causing harassment, alarm or distress.

In addition to these there was one incident of arson, a dog on dog offence, and a sexual offence.

PCSO Mingo said there had been two incidents of making off without payment, which involved fuel, and that one of the burglaries was a break-in at a bike shed at Mill Water Primary School.