CRIME in Chudleigh has dropped significantly from more than 20 offences in January to just nine last month, figures show.

Police dealt with 22 incidents in the first month of the year but officers revealed this week that one nine crimes were reported in February.

Officers were called to three domestic incidents, a dwelling burglary, motor vehicle theft, criminal damage and three thefts by finding.

District Cllr Richard Keeling said he was still concerned about the numbers of crime and said nearby Hennock didn’t have any incidents last month.

Ex police officer Cllr Chris Webb said: ‘It is slightly different in Chudleigh than in Hennock.

‘Nine is low for a town of this size.

‘It is still nine more than I’d like but it is down.’

Police responded to a 999 shout involving two males who had taken items out of a skip which was on a private driveway before making off in a vehicle.

Cllr Webb told Monday night’s town council meeting that the culprits were believed opportunists who were visiting the area.