INCIDENTS of anti-social behaviour in Sidmouth and Sidford have plummeted since police began keeping records in 2005.

INCIDENTS of anti-social behaviour in Sidmouth and Sidford have plummeted since police began keeping records in 2005.

That August, when data began being taken, there were 63 incidents involving youths, with 64 in September, reaching an all-time high that October of 91.

In 2006 figures were still high during the summer, with 49 incidents being reported in August, 28 in September and 34 in October.

This year, said PC Steve Lemon, neighbourhood beat manager for the town, the number of incidents in August had fallen to 11, five lower than the same month last year.

"I have been collating the figures since 2005," said PC Lemon. "The reason I started was because it was so bad.

"An ASBO was given out then which solved the problem and the figures have dropped year on year.

"The peaks are the summer months when there are lighter evenings, but as soon as someone comes to our attention we will be all over them like a rash."

He said if "diversion tactics" didn't work when dealing with such behaviour, such as calling up parents to tell them what their children were doing, then "we have no choice but to do an ASBO. I am not softly, softly."

In a report to town councillors he said a youth had been made the subject of a two-year Anti-Social Behaviour Order by magistrates recently, which was, he said: "richly deserved due to his continual bad behaviour and lack of respect to the community.

"I can announce that another is soon to be granted on a youth, formally of Sidmouth. "This youth does not live in Sidmouth, but makes his unwanted appearances most days.