CRIME is up in Axminster despite a decrease across East Devon as a whole. Police figures show that crime in the area has increased from 359 in 2006/07 to 387 in 2007/08, and detected crime is up by four per cent.
CRIME is up in Axminster despite a decrease across East Devon as a whole.Police figures show that crime in the area has increased from 359 in 2006/07 to 387 in 2007/08, and detected crime is up by four per cent. Since January, 84 crimes have been recorded.In one night alone seven vehicles were damaged or broken into, and PC Darren Herridge voiced concern over an increase in house burglaries - with four reported in March alone. According to the findings, sexual offences were up 100 per cent and vehicle crime was up by 31 per cent. But violent crime, serious assault and house burglaries were down. There was no change to the number of robberies.However, during a town council meeting on Monday (April 14), PC Herridge pointed out that the findings were also due to a more proactive police force detecting the crimes and more people reporting them to the police.He said: "If detection rates are high then this forces the average up. And a small change can lead to a big percentage increase."He said of the seven motor vehicles damaged during one night, those suspected of being responsible were from Yeovil and were later arrested.
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