CRIME rates in Otterton have risen while across the rest of the area they have fallen. In the last year Otterton has seen a 30 per cent crime increase compared to Budleigh Salterton, East Budleigh, Colaton Raleigh and Bicton – whose crime rates are down.

CRIME rates in Otterton have risen while across the rest of the area they have fallen.

In the last year Otterton has seen a 30 per cent crime increase compared to Budleigh Salterton, East Budleigh, Colaton Raleigh and Bicton - whose crime rates are down.

Neighbourhood beat manager PC Kim Chapman said Otterton's increase was the result of a spate of motor vehicle thefts from the South Farm area of the village and the actions of a fraudster conning money from residents.

He said the other areas were reaping the benefits of proactive crime prevention.

PC Chapman said: "The only increase was Otterton. That was a little blip of thefts from motor vehicles. On the whole people are more aware of crime prevention and we have got quite a few Neighbourhood Watch schemes.

"People are more observant and keep an eye out, particularly in rural areas."

The newly-released 2007/2008 figures show 26 crimes were carried out in Otterton compared to 20 recorded in the 2006/2007 figures.

The figures relate to crimes committed in the Budleigh town area from April 1 to March 31 the following year.

Some 10 offenders were positively linked to the crimes which police have categorised into 16 groups.

Neighbouring Colaton Raleigh had a 25 per cent crime reduction with 15 offences carried out compared to 20 the previous year, and four offenders linked to the crimes.

East Budleigh and Bicton had a nine per cent reduction with 39 offences carried out compared to 43, and a 26 per cent detection rate as 11 culprits were positively linked with the crimes.