But police are concerned about an increase in the number of malicious messages being sent by text or via social media

The second lowest crime figures in more than a decade were recorded at Seaton last month.

Officers dealt with 15 incidents compared with 19 in March and 22 in April last year.

Offences included burglary, theft from shops and criminal damage.

Neighbourhood beat officer PC Steve Speariett said: “It is pleasing to see a reduction in crime for April and the figure represents the second lowest total since at least 2004.

The previous highest total was 40 crimes in 2009 and the lowest was 13, in 2012.

“So far this year, criminal damage is the most common offence (13) followed by theft from shop (7). We have seen a big increase in offences under the communication act (six). These are mainly offences where messages are sent via texts or facebook causing distress to the recipient.

“The advice we give is ‘think about the effect your message will have, if it is likely to cause distress don’t send it’.”

The latest April crimes, not previously reported by The Herald, with their reference numbers in brackets, were:

Monday April 14:

A handbag was stolen from a table at Seaton Town Hall (KN/14/145).

Friday, April 18:

Offence under the communications Act: A female received text messages from another female which alarmed her (KN/14/150).

Theft: A local man drove off from Tesco garage without paying for £10 for petrol. He has been identified and has been dealt with by way of restorative justice (KN/14/151).

April 21-22:

Criminal Damage: A window was broken at ‘Reds 2’ in Fore Street (KN/14/153).

Wednesday April 23:

Shop theft: A male attempted to take a bottle of vodka from the Underfleet Co-Op, when challenged he gave it back (KN/14/156).

April 7- 24:

Sexual Assault: Domestic related incident (KN/14/157).

April 23- 25:

Criminal damage: Domestic related incident. (KN/14/161)

April 26-27:

Burglary: Attempt made to force a padlock at a business property in Old beer Road (KN/14/162).

Anyone with information on any of these incidents is asked to call Seaton police on 101.