CRIME in Sidmouth is at its lowest level in four years and incidents of anti-social behaviour have plummeted.

CRIME in Sidmouth is at its lowest level in four years and incidents of anti-social behaviour have plummeted.PC Steve Lemon told town councillors on Monday: "Looking at the past four years, it has just stopped."Figures, which include Sidbury, Newton Poppleford and Salcombe Regis, show a considerable drop in crime since last year, from 60 to 39 in January. In the same month in 2006 it was 75 and the previous year 70.Figures for anti-social behaviour are also low. Last month six cases were recorded, compared to a high of 91 in October 2005. PC Lemon said: "Warrants have played a big part in thefts from motor vehicles. One person has moved away and another is in court on February 26. Otherwise it has gone quiet."January saw a drop of five house burglaries to none, and one non-dwelling burglary, down from three last month.There was no change in the cases of violence, with three recorded, but a drop in theft from nine to six Only three offences of criminal damage were recorded.PC Lemon said two youths had been arrested in January for causing damage to numerous motor vehicles, including kicking off wing mirrors.He said they had been dealt with and compensation would be given to some of the victims.Town council chairman, Councillor Tom Cox said: "This is an astonishing reduction of what were low crime rates and not, I think, by accident. It is not just one month but several months if you look year on year. I believe greater visibility and reaction of the police has brought down these figures. If you feel retribution is around the corner you are careful what you do.