ALTHOUGH latest statistics show that violent crime has gone up in Newton Abbot, Insp David Hammond was keen to point out the town is still a safe place to go out at night.

At Newton Abbot Town Council Finance and Resources Committee, on Wednesday, he told members that violent crime increased by 15 per cent in the last year with 430 logged from April 2011 to March 2012 compared to 374 in the previous 12 months..

'It's an area of concern and is a force priority. The vast majority are low level crime such as common assault and ABH,' said Insp Hammond.