PROLIFIC vandals blighted an otherwise good month for crime figures in Sidmouth, the town’s police have revealed.
PROLIFIC vandals blighted an otherwise good month for crime figures in Sidmouth, the town’s police have revealed.
Officers recorded 47 reported offences in October, on par with figures for last year.
Crimes included 16 criminal damage offences, 14 thefts and four assaults.
Of 207 calls to police, 49 were related to ant-social behaviour, but Sergeant Andy Tuner reassured residents: “Don’t be alarmed we’ve suddenly turned into the lawless town, it’s just the way we record figures.”
Logged calls classed as anti-social behaviour include incidents of abandoned vehicles, neighbour disputes and cars blocking driveways, though in increase in problems with boy racers did feature, said PS Turner.
A noisy party in Alexandria road prompted five calls from nearby residents. Police also responded to reports of fireworks being let off in public.
PS Turner added burglary figures were possibly the lowest-ever, with the three recorded all non-dwelling offences in which items like power tools were taken from sheds.
PS Turner said the biggest rise was in criminal damage offences which normally don’t exceed ten per month.
A spate of vandalism to cars in Stowford Rise has been blamed for the hike.
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