Holidaying homeowners targeted by criminals

The number of reported crimes in Sidmouth was up by three in February compared to the same period last year.

The total of 27 included five burglaries from homes and three from non-dwellings.

There were five cases of criminal damage, one public order offence, one incident of shoplifting and four ‘other’ thefts.

Officers also attended five incidents of violence with injury and three of violence without injury.

Sergeant Andy Squires said most of the burglaries from homes were in Sidbury when the owners were away on holiday and their jewellery was targeted. In one case, the elderly owner had recently died.

All of the break-ins were within a few weeks of each other.