POLICE in Newton Abbot and surrounding areas have launched a special Christmas crime clampdown.

Operation Reindeer is up and running through the festive season in an effort to slow down the rising tide of acquisitive crime.

The initiative comes as local police grapple with a 45 per cent increase in vehicle crimes alone this year – a rate spiked by this month’s wave of attacks on parked-up taxis in and around the town (see story on previous page).

Last year the vehicle crime tally was 101. So far in 2016 the total has shot up to 147, an alarming increase experienced across the UK generally. 

A police spokesman said this week: ‘Historically, Operation Reindeer has made a significant impact in reducing dwelling burglaries over the festive period.’

In Newton Abbot, community cadets have distributed hundreds of leaflets to townspeople with the message: ‘Don’t let thieves steal your Christmas.’

Residents are being urged to ensure they keep their properties and vehicles locked and secure with nothing valuable left on display.

‘The neighbourhood team will be continuing town centre patrols targeting drug users, shoplifters and persons committing anti-social behaviour,’ the spokesman promised.

He said people suspected of being involved in acquisitive crime were being ‘actively targeted’.

‘Thankfully our dwelling burglaries at this time remain low but people are reminded to be vigilant and report suspicious behaviour to the police,’ said the spokesman.