Recorded crime in Sidmouth was up 26.5 per cent last month compared to April 2016 - rising from 34 to 43 - but the increase is due to ‘more stringent’ rules on how offences are reported.

Sidmouth Herald:

In a report submitted to Sidmouth Town Council, Police Sergeant Andy Squires said new advice from the Home Office means some crimes are recorded that would previously have only been logged as ‘incidents’.

The number of ‘incidents’ also rose over the period, from 113 last year to 130 in April 2017 - a 15 per cent increase.

The full list of reported crimes was:

• Six violence with injury;

• Five violence without injury;

• Two burglaries from homes;

• One burglary non-dwelling;

• Two vehicle offences;

• Three shoplifting;

• 10 other thefts;

• Seven criminal damage;

• Five public order offences.

Sgt Squires’ report said the police are particularly focusing on break-ins in rural car parks.