Crime in Ottery was up by more than 20 per cent in June, compared to the same month last year.

In total, there were 24 offences recorded whereas, in 2015, there were only 19 - this year’s cumulative figure is now 68.

Police said there were four assaults, a racial incident, fraud, drink-driving and a stalking by an ex-partner.

These statistics include damage at the Salston Hotel when stones were thrown at the windows, the theft of trade plates from an unlocked vehicle and criminal damage to a parked vehicle, near the Tumbling Weir.

There were further incidents which included a portable toilet being tipped over at the Land of Canaan and arson under St Saviours Bridge when a man left a petrol can for his strimmer by a path. Three youths were later spotted in the area and the can was found set alight.

Police said theft was also reported at a garage after a woman hid some WD40 in her jumper sleeve while a man paid for his items. The incident was caught on CCTV and the pair will be issued with a banning letter if they return.

There were two burglaries: one in a shared house where an untidy search had taken place and another after criminals threw bricks through a back door, escaping with a small safe and its contents – these included passports, credit cards and men’s watches.

Criminals also damaged a front door of a property, in Paternoster Row, during the annual Pixie Day festivities at about 9.30pm on Saturday (June 25). A leaded window was smashed, causing, what is expected to be, costly damages.

Reports of people entering the recycling centre were made on two occasions.

The first time, six people were caught on CCTV and, on the second, a man was apprehended on site with a bicycle pump, Jerry can and a golf club.

There was also an incident of threatening behaviour, which related to one of the assaults recorded, as well as reports of a theft of a bag of flour, which was used to deface an honesty shop at a glamping site. A bag of logs was also chopped up, with some left burnt.

An animal trailer was also stolen from outside a property in Hayne Hill, Tipton St John, at about 8.20am last Thursday (June 20).

The two-wheeled, 7ft by 5ft, Perry trailer was high-sided with a galvanised, mesh top.

Anyone with information on any of these crimes should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.