Folk festival not “the hot bed of crime it is often described” says Sidmouth police sergeant

CRIME figures plummeted for this year’s Sidmouth FolkWeek, say police.

Reporting to Sidmouth Town Council, Sergeant Andy Turner wrote: “In 2009 we recorded 29 crimes throughout the festival. This year, as of 5pm on Friday, August 6, we had recorded 7 crimes for the entire week.

“This proves the festival is not the hot bed of crime it is often described.”

Policing resources were reduced for this year’s festival “providing a very challenging experience for those officers stationed at Sidmouth.”