CRIME rates have fallen across the board in Exmouth and Budleigh Salterton with a satisfied police inspector recording a very pleasing year". New practises at Exmouth Police Station were marked out as a key factor behind increased crime detection beati

CRIME rates have fallen across the board in Exmouth and Budleigh Salterton with a satisfied police inspector recording a "very pleasing year".New practises at Exmouth Police Station were marked out as a key factor behind increased crime detection - beating Force targets and boosting safety in tandem with a 13 per cent drop in recorded crime.Figures for March, 2007, to April, 2008, showedl 2,834 recorded crimes, 435 (13 per cent) fewer than 2006/2007 l A 29 per cent crime detection rate (824 crimes), exceeded 27 per cent targetl Domestic burglary dropped by 13 per cent to 125 recorded crimes; vehicle burglary down 4 per cent to 290l Decrease of 16 per cent in criminal damage (751 crimes recorded)l Drug offences down by 19.5 per centl Eight per cent decrease in violent crime (655 crimes)Devon and Cornwall Constabulary were happy with an overall drop in crime and improvement in detection rates, and satisfaction ratings from victims of crime.Exmouth Inspector Jez Capey said close teamwork was bringing results."Overall it was a very pleasing year, with reductions in all areas plus improvements in detection rates, and we are looking to maintain that," he said."One of the reasons detection has improved is we have implemented the Crime Investigation Team at Exmouth. We used to have CID taking on investigations; they didn't work in the same office or have the same level of communication."Now uniform officers and non-uniform officers are working closely together. We are also being much smarter in the way we deal with intelligence on crime."This has been a key issue, as we have targeted criminals and locked up burglars, drug dealers and violent criminals."A tiny proportion commit the vast majority of crimes and, if we target them, we can drive down crime."A key challenge will be maintaining results, the inspector said."In many ways, it will be harder to improve next year as we have driven down crime to a low level, but we will continue the fight."We are having a real battle against anti-social behaviour, as under-18s continue to get access to alcohol, and this can lead to mindless damage, assaults and other crimes."Officers have continued into the new year of results with an early commitment to tackling anti-social behaviour and underage drinking. Police have urged the public to assist their efforts by reporting every incident, as promptly as possible.