THERE were 46 more recorded crimes across Devon and Cornwall last year than the previous 12 months, writes Daniel Clark, local democracy reporter.

Figures released recently on the Devon and Cornwall Police website show there were 104,858 recorded crimes in the force area between October 1, 2018, and September 30, 2019. For the previous 12 months, that figure was 104,812, showing the slight rise in crime, although not enough for make a difference in percentage terms.

The full figures, which reveal the number of crimes, broken down into crime groups, compared to the figures for last year, for each area, are available at https://www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/media/971731/crimereport-2019.pdf

Weapons possession offences rose 24.4%, which follows a 17.9% rise last year, while possession of drugs offences rose by 22.2% and robberies were up 22%.

But there was a reduction in recorded crimes of rape, homicide, burglary, vehicle offences, shoplifting, theft and ‘other offences’.

The statistics show that in the previous 12 months, recorded crime rose in Plymouth, North, East and West Devon and Exeter, East and Mid Devon, but fell in South Devon and Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

Of the 222 force areas that figures were provided for, crime fell in 104 areas, rose in 112 areas, and were identical in Newquay Town, Illogan South, Turnchapel, Hooe & Oreston, St Germans & Landrake and the Isles of Scilly.

In the Post area, figures are as follows:

Bude town — 480 this year, 519 last year, -7.50% difference.

• Bude rural — 172 this year, 154 last year, 11.70% difference.

• Callington and Stoke Climsland — 310 this year, 381 last year, -18.60% difference.

• Camelford and Tintagel — 481 this year, 411 last year, 17.00% difference.

• Holsworthy rural — 373 this year, 463 last year, -19.40% difference.

Launceston — 690 this year, 730 last year, -5.50% difference.

• Launceston rural — 160 this year, 163 last year, -1.80% difference.

• Rock, Polzeath and Port Isaac — 332 this year, 289 last year, 14.90% difference.

The area around Tavistock Rural West saw the biggest spike in crime, up 46.3% year on year, going from 134 to 196 crimes. The rural area in West Devon covers the parishes between Launceston and Tavistock, and includes Milton Abbot, Lamerton, Mary Tavy and Lydford.

The figures provided show that in the previous 12 months there was a tripling in the number of burglaries, criminal damage rose by 146%, while public order offences and thefts also saw a big spike.

In total, 55 areas saw a rise in crime of more than 10%.

Significant drops in crime were seen in Lynton and Lynmouth, down 28.6%, St Ives, Penzance Town East, St Blazey and Tywardreath, Holsworthy Rural, Redruth North and Callington and Stokeclimsland.

In total, there were 27 areas in which crime dropped by 10% or more.

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has said the figures underline the importance of remaining vigilant in the fight against organised crime.

The Office for National Statistics report for the 12 months to June this year, figures released on the same day as the stats on the Devon and Cornwall Police website that run from October to September, shows that Devon and Cornwall is the fifth safest of 43 force areas in England and Wales.

PCC Alison Hernandez said work to combat organised drug supply was reflected in the figures, adding: “Organised drug supply, including through so called ‘county line’ networks, remains one of the most significant risks we face in our communities.

“Drug dealers coming from metropolitan areas bring with them weapons and violence and exploit vulnerable people to help them distribute drugs.

“Devon and Cornwall Police is taking large scale action to combat this – we have invested over £5.5-million in the last three years into new proactive policing teams and in dedicated operations to target specific county lines or organised crime groups.

“The ongoing increases we are seeing in the number of crimes recorded for drug offences and the possession of weapons are a reflection of that concerted effort, although I recognise there remains more to be done.”

Robbery offences also rose, and Ms Hernandez said: “While these increases are on relatively low base numbers, and should be seen in the context of our area being for one of the safest parts of the country, I am concerned about the continued rise in robberies and I am in discussion with the Chief Constable to better understand the issues we face and the response being taken.”

She added: “While I am pleased to see reductions in many areas of recorded crime we cannot and will not be complacent. Crime levels remain a concern to me and to our communities and we must continue to do all we can to improve our response to all types of crime. Recruitment of more officers is part of the solution so I am delighted that, in addition to a planned uplift in force strength, we will have an additional 141 officers added to the force through the first year of the national uplift.

“Despite our chocolate box image we are not immune from drug dealing and organised crime that has taken hold in the country at large.”