THE number of crimes reported in Bude has almost doubled compared to last year.
Devon and Cornwall Police statistics, which were released up until June 2024, show a significant rise in crime levels. In July 2023, only 32 crimes were reported in the coastal town, however, in June this year, these levels have more than doubled, with 77 crimes reported.
So far this year, crime levels peaked in the town in May, with 99 crimes reported to the police.
Police statistics break down these numbers into the most common category of crimes reported.
Of the 77 crimes reported in June, 32 were violence and sexual offences, 15 anti-social behavior, 11 criminal damage and nine ‘other theft’ — the remaining 10 crimes have not been specified.
With steadily rising crime levels, local police have attributed this to ‘improved detection rates.
When contacted about these figures, sector inspector Greg Hodgkiss from Devon and Cornwall Police told the Post: “We welcome the fact that crime reporting has increased in the Bude area, as this shows that the recent work we have carried out around improving public confidence and encouraging individuals to report crime to us is working. Bude also has a fully operational Public Enquiry Office, this, along with more positive engagement and increased visibility from the neighbourhood policing team is resulting in the public coming forward to report more.
“We now have a presence on social media, where we encourage crime reporting and show that incidents are and will be treated seriously and we would advise anyone who has a crime to report to contact us as soon as possible. "In an emergency, you can report crime dialling 999. For non-emergencies please dial 101 or report a crime to us via our website.
“If you have been affected by crime, visit victimcare-dc.org to access support services and information on your rights and how to navigate the criminal justice system. You can also call Victim Support on 08 08 16 89 111 or Devon and Cornwall Police’s Victim Care Unit on 01392 475900.”