REPORTED crime in Wiveliscombe and West Deane dropped by nearly 75% in October compared to last year, according to the Police.uk website.

In October, 2013, there 15 reported crimes in the area, including nine incidents of anti-social behaviour, but in 2014 the figure was just four with just one case of anti-social behaviour.

PC Joanne Jeffery said: “As beat manager for this area I’d love to take all the credit, but that would be deception.

“A very dedicated PCSO for this area, Louise Fyne, is continually running beat surgeries and crime prevention initiatives in the form of Farm Watch, Rural Watch and property marking schemes.

“We try to visit all victims of crime and to increase awareness of crime and how not to become a victim.

“Wiveliscombe and the ten Parishes are covered by 10 Radio which we regularly use to update people about crime trends and seasonal crime, this may have had an influence also.

“Let’s hope that these positive figures continue and we can further reassure our residents that they live in a truly safe community.”

The patch used by Police.uk includes Wiveliscombe, Kittisford, Stawley, Chipstable, Bathea