POLICE in Okehampton have hailed an operation to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour around bonfire night a great success.

Operation Everest is a force-wide event where as much of the force as possible gets involved in projects aimed at preventing crime and anti-social behaviour. This year the event was extended from its usual one day to an entire week, between October 31 and November 6, in order to capture both bonfire night and Hallowe'en.

Okehampton Police Sergeant Lee Nattrass said: 'Our main focus in Operation Everest is to deter, rather than detect offences and this autumn's operation was a huge success.'

'Only four crimes were recorded this year in comparison to last year's 22 crimes for the same period. Anti-social behaviour reports were also down from ten incidents last year to six this year. The main problem this year was youths setting off fireworks.'

Devon and Cornwall is the fourth safest place to live in the country, and there has been a significant reduction in nuisance crimes in the past year. Okehampton is one of the most effective stations in the force. Police hope to hold a similar operation in the spring.