Police blame opportunist thieves for an 80 per cent increase in recorded incidents last month

Opportunist thieves pushed crime figures up in the Seaton rural policing area last month.

Police dealt with nine recorded incidents against five during the same period the previous year – an 80 per cent increase. It also represents a 50 per cent rise on this February’s figures.

Community beat officer PC Steve Speariett said it was down to what they termed ‘acquisitive crime’ - opportunist thefts, especially from motor vehicles.

He said areas like Blackbury camp, in Southleigh, had been a target area for thieves over recent years, because of visitors leaving valuables in their cars.

He told the Herald: “This acts as a reminder to ensure people either take valuable property with them or ensure it is not visible.

“We will be conducting extra patrols in areas highlighted as theft hotspots.”

PC Speariett said Seaton and nearby towns had also suffered from a number burglaries recently, often occurring during the early evening, between 7pm – 9pm.

“We are asking people to please be vigilant and keep an eye out for their neighbours. Report anything suspicious straight away,” he said.

“If someone does see any vehicle or people that look out of place they should call it in straight away using 999 when appropriate.”

Amongst the rural crimes reported last month were:

Colyton, four crimes:

March 1-2: Attempted theft from a motor vehicle. A Ford Fiesta parked in the Dolphin Street car park was broken into by smashing a window. Nothing was stolen. (crime reference: KN/13/77).

March 11– 12: Theft from a motor vehicle. A Mitsubishi Shogun parked in Cownhayne Lane was broken into and CDs and a tax disc were stolen. (KN/13/105).

March 17: Assault, actual bodily harm: Following an incident between neighbours in Seaway Head a male was assaulted. The offender, a male, aged 31, has been charged with the assault. (KN/13/112).

March 22: Burglary of a dwelling: A residential property in Seaton Road, Colyford was broken into and property stolen from inside. (KN/13/116).

Axmouth, one crime:

March 4-5: Breach of molestation order, domestic related incident. (KN/13/96).

Rousdon and Combpyne, one crime:

March 7-8: Burglary of a dwelling. A number of power tools were stolen from a property in Rousdon which was under renovation (KN/13/97).

Southleigh, one crime:

March 19: Theft from a motor vehicle. A Citroën CS3 parked at Blackberry Camp was broken into by smashing a side window. Property stolen includes a purse, credit cards and money. (KN/13/114)

Anyone with information on any of these crimes is asked to contact Seaton Police on 101, by email at seaton@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk or via crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, quoting the crime reference.