Crime in Sidmouth was down 42.5 per cent last month compared to October 2014.

Among a total of 23 reported incidents were four cases of criminal damage, two vehicle offences, two cases of violence with injury and three of violence without injury.

There was a single shoplifting incident, two ‘other’ thefts and a public order offence.

Police attended a spate of seven shed break-ins in Newton Poppleford and Salcombe Regis, but Sergeant Andy Squires said in many cases nothing was taken, and one burglary at a house.

Last October saw 40 incidents.

To date this year, there have been 365 incidents – down 9.4 per cent on last year’s total of 403 from January to the end of October.