BUDE’S neighbourhood beat manager, PC Stephen South, has provided Bude-Stratton Town Council with new crime figures in the area.

On Thursday, December 1, PC South delivered updates to councillors at their full council meeting, and provided them with an update on crime figures over the past year.

The meeting heard that there has been a 4.3% increase in recorded crime in the Bude area between October 2015 and October 2016. Additionally, there were 606 crimes up from 581 in the previous 12 months.

PC South also reported that criminal damage, burglary on non-dwelling sites and violence without injury has increased. However, the town has seen a decrease in burglaries on dwellings, sexual offences and, in particular, shoplifting.