WEST Devon has seen an overall drop in crime of almost 13% in the last three years, according to the latest Government statistics.
In some cases, certain crimes have seen an even greater drop, with domestic burglaries in the borough down by 37% and assaults without injury falling by 24%.
The Government uses ten specific crimes to measure the number and types of offences in an area.
The crimes measured are assault without injury, criminal damage, domestic burglary, robbing of personal property, theft from a person, theft from a vehicle, theft or unauthorised taking of a cycle, theft or unauthorised taking of a vehicle, vehicle interference and wounding — serious and other.
Crime reduction work in West Devon is carried out under the umbrella of the South Devon and Dartmoor Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP). The CDRP operates across West Devon, South Hams and Teignbridge, and involves a range of organisations, including the police.
Within the West Devon area, crime reduction work is co-ordinated by a community safety team, which includes a borough council community safety officer working closely with an anti-social behaviour officer and police crime reduction officers.
Cllr Mandy Govier, chairman of the Partnership and a West Devon Borough Councillor, said: 'West Devon continues to be one of the safest places in the country to live but we are not complacent in our approach to crime.
'We work very carefully with a wide range of agencies who meet regularly to proactively meet crime challenges head on.
'Such cooperation, combined with efficient policing, help from the public and neighbourhood watch schemes, is working for our communities as these statistics show.'
Sgt Dave Anning and Sgt Mark Hoar lead the neighbourhood policing teams in West Devon. Sgt Anning said: 'Crime and disorder has reduced consistently in West Devon for a number of years now. Unfortunately, people still have a high "fear of crime".
'Perhaps the biggest single step to put this back in proportion was the decision three years ago to introduce Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs), who are uniformed members of the police service and are dedicated to working with communities without the wide variety of other tasks that constables become involved in.
'They are making a significant difference as people feel they have got back their "Bobby on the beat".
'The PCSOs feed vital first-hand information to all the partner organisations involved in reducing crime and the fear of crime. What residents tell them is acted upon.'