Rural areas see rise in monthly crime figures

Police are particularly concerned about two burglaries in Colyton and urge the public to be vigilant

Reported crime doubled in the Seaton rural policing area over the past two months.

Officers investigated eight incidents in April, compared to four in March.

But the figure is well down on the monthly April average of 19 since 2004.

Colyton was again the “crime hotspot” with four incidents. These included an overnight break in at the pharmacy and petty cash being taken.

And the doorstep milk thief made a comeback, pinching a pinta from outside a home in Courtenay Close. A local man was also arrested in the same area for a public order offence and subsequently sectioned under the mental health act.

And another burglary at the Station Yard resulted in a small quantity of petty cash being taken.

PC Steve Speariett said: “The two burglaries in Colyton are of concern, in both cases amounts of cash were stolen. If people see anybody acting suspiciously in the area please let us know straight away.”

But he added: “April’s total of seven reported crimes is the lowest total for April since at least 2004 and it has seen the ninth consecutive month of below average crime totals.

“Axmouth, Farway, Northleigh and Rousdon have not seen any crime at all so far this year and Northleigh has been crime free since September 2009.”

Anyone with any information on any of the crimes is asked to get in touch with Seaton Police Station on 101, by e-mail at seaton@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk or by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.