CRIME figures released last week show the largest annual rise in crimes recorded by the police in a decade.

The figures, published on Thursday, July 20, reveal that Okehampton has seen a 37.3% rise in victim based crime, from 236 to 324 reports this year plus an increase in overall reported crime of 27.5%.

The crime figures recorded from July 2016 to June 2017 show a sharp rise in non-dwelling burglaries, shoplifting and possession of drugs, but a drop in violence with injury and vehicle offences.

West Devon detective sergeant Bev Havis said: ‘The latest figures show the largest annual rise in crimes nationally in a decade. With a 12.6 per cent rise in West Devon we seem to be in line with the national statistics.

‘Whilst ongoing improvements to recording practices are driving this volume rise and victims having the courage to come forward West Devon police are not being complacent.

‘We monitor the crime on a daily basis, identifying times and locations of recorded crime and direct officers and PCSOs to these areas in order to prevent further offending and provide reassurance.

‘We have executed a number of drugs warrants and have run night time operations involving a number of partner agencies.

‘West Devon police now have four new neighbourhood beat managers. These extra officers will be working directly with their communities

‘As a small team we are delighted with this increase of staff in this area of policing and I know this will have a positive impact in the way we are able to deliver our services in West Devon.’

Overall the force has seen a 17.4% increase across Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly but still remains the third safest force area in England and Wales.

Deputy chief constable Paul Netherton said: ‘We acknowledge the crime figures out today and the overall national increase in recorded crime. We must stress that crime figures only represent a minor part of what we as a police force actually do; around 80 per cent of our business is not crime related.

‘According to the crime survey for England and Wales, we have one of the highest levels of public confidence of any force across the country, which is 86 per cent. As a result of high levels of public confidence we expect to see a rise in the reporting of certain crime types. Reporting of sexual offences (up 38.9 per cent) reflects an increase in confidence of victims coming forward.

‘Increases in crime recording for crimes such as possession of weapons and public order offences we attribute to our pro-active approach to policing in these areas.

‘We have worked hard as a force to improve our response in a number of key crime areas such as rape, sexual offences, modern slavery and domestic violence.

‘In recent years we have seen a huge rise in both current and historic reporting in these areas, and I am encouraged that victims are finding the courage to come forward and reach out to us knowing that they will be supported.

‘No victim should suffer in silence and we will continue to work hard to support these people and to give a voice to each and every one of them, regardless of if this sees a rise in our crime figures.’

According to the crime survey Devon and Cornwall Police came first out of 42 forces in seven out of eight categories — overall confidence, reliability, respect, community understanding, fair treatment, community priorities and police dealing with crime.

DCC Netherton added: ‘The perceived risk of becoming a victim of crime [personal] is the third lowest in the country and perceived risk of crime [household] is fourth lowest. This shows that residents feel safe in our area.

‘I am confident that not only are my staff and officers working hard to protect and serve the public of Devon and Cornwall, but that this part of the country continues to remain a safe place to live, work, and visit, and that the likelihood of becoming a victim of crime is still very low.’