Crime in Newton Abbot this year has presented police with a 'mixed picture' according to Insp David Hammond, with incidents up slightly overall but also some substantial falls, writes Nigel Canham.

Since April the figures are between four and five per cent above those for last year with violence becoming an 'area for concern' after a ten per cent rise in actual bodily harm offences. Thefts were up 30 per cent.

Recorded vehicle crime has risen by 50 per cent with 73 incidents so far although criminal damage and drug offences were both down, as were burglaries which fell by 35 per cent.

The number of domestic abuse cases remained largely static and the force is just one point below its 80 per cent target for the public's satisfaction rating of its handling of anti-social behaviour.