Youth crime and anti-social behaviour in Buckfastleigh have fallen.

Buckfastleigh's beat manager, PC Ali Hooper, and her newly-appointed colleague, Police Community Support Officer Kevin Bacon, have revealed that the latest crime figures show a considerable reduction in the number of incidents they have been called to deal with.

Speaking to the town council on Wednesday, they reported that in the last month there had been 71 incidents in the town and just 14 reported crimes. Although previous figures were not available for comparison, the results were warmly welcomed and acknowledged as being far better than anyone could remember.

There had been no recorded burglaries, no thefts of or from vehicles and no damage to vehicles. The only assault had been a domestic affair and the number of other offences was low and generally minor in nature. The statistic to generate most excitement was that which revealed only eight incidents were attributable to 'nuisance youths'.

'That is quite remarkable,' said the mayor, Cllr Donald Joint. 'I hate to say such a thing but if things could stay like that it would almost be acceptable.'

PC Hooper said that two of the culprits had been children caught spraying graffiti and throwing stones at floodlights. They were now preparing to make good the damage, under the supervision of a community safety warden, and apologise to their victims.

'The parents were very supportive and shocked to hear what they had been up to,' she said, a point not lost on Cllr Peter Clarke. 'I think that was an important point, the attitude of the parents who were prepared to take responsibility,' he said.

PC Hooper said that some of the improvement was down to a number of ringleaders moving away and other simply 'growing up'. She also found that the youth's attitude had changed for the better. 'I no longer have to move them on any more,' she said.

'Now when they see me they just wave and say it's ok Ali, we're going.' PC Hooper also praised residents for coming forward with information, something that had not always happened.

'I think people are less intimidated now,' she said. Cllr Joint said of the improved relationship with the town's youth: 'If you get to the point where they respect you as some kind of law you know you are getting somewhere.' The town has introduced restrictions on drinking in public and should have a CCTV system operating by March.