Crime in Sidmouth was described as ‘nothing but consistent’ after a 0.5 per cent drop in recorded incidents over the last year.

Sergeant Andy Squires told Sidmouth Town Council on Monday that 412 crimes were reported between April 1, 2015, and March 31, 2106, compared to 414 in the previous 12 months.

Officers also dealt with 1,555 incidents, which included immediate call-outs, calls for assistance and routine inspections.

Sgt Squires told the annual town assembly on Monday: “There have been no particular enormous increases or decreases in any particular crime. They are pretty much on par with one another. We have kept a lid on it, which is good.”

He compared the total with yearly figures from Dawlish and Exeter, which saw 3,119, and 43,621 crimes dealt with, respectively. Sgt Squires said officers have conducted a number of operations to tackle issues including boy racers in the Manor Road car park, off-road motorcyclists and four-wheel drive vehicles reportedly causing problems for dog walkers near Core Hill, Fire Beacon Hill, East Hill strips and Muttersmoor.

Police also held a number of successful ‘have your say’ surgeries. As a result, officers will prioritise speeding, antisocial behaviour and alcohol-related crime, over the next three months. Police have also worked in a multi-agency operation spot-checking cars. Since July, they have stopped 169 vehicles. Of these, 42 contained red diesel, 22 motorists were driving prohibited vehicles and there were 13 motoring offences.