NEARLY three quarters of all drunk and disorderly crimes, almost half of all assaults and 69 per cent of public order offences for the whole local policing area occurs in Exmouth town centre.

NEARLY three quarters of all drunk and disorderly crimes, almost half of all assaults and 69 per cent of public order offences for the whole local policing area occurs in Exmouth town centre.

Figures released covering the 12-months to August 31 are for the Exmouth Sector which includes Exmouth, Budleigh Salterton, East Budleigh, Otterton, Colaton Raleigh, the parish of Woodbury and Clyst St Mary.

Of the assaults recorded 46 per cent, 469 out of 1020, and 68 drunk and disorderly offences out of 96 - 71 per cent - were in the town centre.

Sixty-nine per cent of public order offences, 96 out of 140, were also committed in the same area.

Sgt Phil Godfrey compiled the statistics and report which formed the proposal to the town council.

He wrote: "In order to assist the police ...in tackling alcohol crime and disorder in the town centre... it is perceived that CIZ is the most effective method yet untried.

"(The figures)...indicate the scale of the problem being faced by the police...

"(It shows)...that there is a need to take positive action...to insure that incidents of crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour linked to the night time economy do not increase.