Crime decreases in Ottery in June

Police saw a decrease in crime last month compared to the same period last year but reported assaults made up a third of the total.

Police recorded 21 reported crimes in June, compared to 24 for the same period last year.

PCSO Maria Clapp said the statistics included six assaults, harassment, several incidents of theft and one report of grievous bodily harm.

There were further incidents of an elderly woman having £219 taken from her account and thieves attempting a break-in at the Finnimore Industrial Estate.

On Sunday, June 4, officers were called out twice to Otter Garden Centre. PCSO Clapp said three youths stole small value items, but were caught by the security guard.

During June, officers also responded to a ‘terrified’ member of the public when a group of dogs ran towards them. In a separate incident, police interviewed a dog owner following reports of a dog bite.

There was also one count of an article conveying a threatening message, an article of false information and threatening and abusive behaviour.