March totals in the Seaton rural policing area were at their lowest for eight years

THE number of reported crimes in the Seaton rural policing area fell to its lowest level in some eight years last month.

Neighbourhood beat manager PC Steve Speariett said they dealt with just four incidents – the lowest March total since at least 2004 and the eighth consecutive month of below average crime totals.

He said Axmouth, Farway, Northleigh and Rousdon had not reported any crime at all so far this year and Northleigh has been crime free since September 2009.

Colyton was again the area’s crime “hotspot” last month with three incidents, including a public order offence when a 31-year-old local man was given an �80 penalty notice for disorder for being abusive to a neighbour.

There was also a case of criminal damage, when the bird shelter, at Colyford, had graffiti painted on its walls. Police say they are following up a number of leads in relation to this.

They also investigated reports of harassment in a domestic related incident.

At Beer a 43-year-old local man was arrested for allegedly breaching a sexual prevention order and is currently on remand awaiting trial.

* The neighbourhood policing team will be visiting farms and caravan sites in the following months to review security and offer crime prevention advice.

“This is part of the long term strategy to reduce crime further than the historic lows we are seeing at present,” said PC Speariett.

Anyone who has any information on any of the crimes is asked to contact Seaton Police Station on 101, by e-mail at seaton@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.