POLICE in Honiton have recorded an overall drop in recorded crime of 10.9 per cent for 2009.
POLICE in Honiton have recorded an overall drop in recorded crime of 10.9 per cent for 2009.
Burglaries were down by 70 offences, the equivalent of a 46 per cent reduction, and vehicle crime was reduced by 37 per cent. Violent crime was down three per cent, compared to 2008, and incidents of criminal damage also fell, by 1.5 per cent.
The reductions were coupled with a 44 per cent increase in detected drug offences - something Sergeant Martin Burrow believes is the result of "robust and proactive policing".
He said: "As we know, a lot of crime is generated by those addicted to drugs in order for them to fund their habit."
As a result of targeted action, against drug users and dealers, police had been able to reduce associated crimes, such as burglary.
"Honiton does not have a large drug problem, however, there is a very small minority of people who use drugs in the town. A 44 per cent increase shows that we are repeatedly targeting these people which, along with other initiatives, produce the other reductions in crime," said Sgt Burrow.
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