Axminster Rural

Your Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) is a group of local police officers dedicated to serving your community. The team is made up of officers and PCSOs based in your area, supported by additional officers from the wider area.

We work closely with local authorities, community leaders and residents to decide our policing priorities for the area. This helps us to find useful, long-term solutions to local problems, while maintaining our wider focus on reducing crime across Devon and Cornwall. 

Please find contact details for your Neighbourhood Policing Team provided below. 

Please note that to report a crime or incident to Devon and Cornwall Police,  please visit Devon & Cornwall Police or in an emergency, please dial 999.

Axminster Neighbourhood Team

Linda Ebdon (Devon & Cornwall Police, Police Constable, Axminster)

Linda Ebdon

Police Constable

Phil Gray (Devon & Cornwall Police, Police Inspector, Rural East Devon)

Phil Gray

Police Inspector

Ben Middleton (Devon & Cornwall Police, Police Constable, Axminster)

Ben Middleton

Police Constable

Jenny Palmer (Devon & Cornwall Police, Police Sergeant, Rural East Devon)

Jenny Palmer

Police Sergeant

Hayley Widger (Devon & Cornwall Police, Police Community Support Officer, Axminster)

Hayley Widger

Police Community Support Officer

Local Priority Issues

Priority Action taken

Anti-Social Driving & Vehicle Offences

The Axminster Neighbourhood Team and Devon and Cornwall Police are working to reduce the number of casualties and road traffic collisions in our area, through proactive work and positive action.

Vehicle crime includes theft from motor vehicles, vehicles being driven without insurance and/or a valid driving licence, vehicle theft, unroadworthy vehicles, and drink and drug driving. Antisocial driving such as speeding, revving, loud music and large car meets also meets this criteria.

Issued 14 October 2025

We have conducted high visibility patrols along the main routes in to and out of Axminster, providing reassurance to motorists and other road users.

Further traffic ops to be planned in the New Year.

Actioned 24 December 2025

Reduce Antisocial Behaviour

Antisocial behaviour (ASB) is defined as 'behaviour by a person which causes, or is likely to cause, harassment, alarm or distress to persons not of the same household as the person'. There are three main categories of ASB which depends on how many people are affected; personal ASB, nuisance ASB, and environmental ASB. This can include littering, noise, inconsiderate behaviour, nuisance calls, antisocial driving, abandoned vehicles, begging, and street drinking.

To reduce and target ASB in the community the East Devon Neighbourhood team work with partner agencies such as East Devon Council, local schools, local shops, pubs, and Highways.

Issued 14 October 2025

ASB patrols have continued throughout December, particularly in hot spot areas around the Minster Green and Tesco.

Further reports of ASB cycling have been received and we will continue to proactively police those who cycle dangerously on the roads in and around Axminster.

Actioned 24 December 2025

Drug Possession and Supply

Drugs can have a devastating social impact on community life and on those who are dependent on them. It can lead to anti-social behaviour, violence, safeguarding concerns, and other crime.

Community intelligence is invaluable to the Police, and without it would limit the ability to gain drug warrants and target offenders. Information from the public helps to prevent and detect crime, whilst ensuring the safeguarding and protection of our community. You may think that the information you hold will not be useful but it may be the final missing piece to the puzzle. If you suspect illegal activity in your area please report it via 101 online or by phone. Alternatively, you can report information anonymously to CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111.

Issued 14 October 2025

We continue to work with the local community to build intelligence about drug use in and around Axminster. Further plain clothes and high visibility patrols to be carried out.

Actioned 24 December 2025

Rural Crime & Engagement

Rural crime is an issue for large areas of the country, but it tends to go unreported. It can impact on insurance premiums, food prices, the environment, and can damage local communities.

The Axminster Neighbourhood Team are conducting a visible presence in the rural community to offer reassurance and crime prevention. The aim is to improve connectivity with the rural communities and provide education to users of our beautiful countryside. This includes attending rural events to gain knowledge about the issues effecting the rural communities and to offer the crime prevention advice.

Issued 14 October 2025

Rural engagement took place at UPLYME, KILMINGTON and DALWOOD in December with officers visiting each location, conducting foot patrol and spending time speaking to residents.

Further rural engagement to take place in December and in to the New Year.

Actioned 10 December 2025

What members in Axminster Rural are saying are the issues in the area:

Latest Alerts

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Anti social behaviour / dangerous driving

Following concerns from members of the public regarding Anti-Social Driving in and around Axminster,...

Devon and Cornwall Police
11/01/2026 12:49:00

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Cyber

Action Fraud is now REPORT FRAUDStaring on the 4th of December 2025, the City of London Police be...

Devon and Cornwall Police
08/01/2026 20:28:20

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Anti-social behaviour, AXMINSTER

The AXMINSTER NEIGHBOURHOOD TEAM has received reports of anti-social behaviour taking place in the ...

Devon and Cornwall Police
08/01/2026 20:01:19

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Hawkchurch - come and meet your local neighbourhood team : Wed 07 Jan 13:00

Your local Neighbourhood Team will be at HAWKCHURCH VILLAGE HALL and completing foot patrol around H...

Devon and Cornwall Police
04/01/2026 14:49:44

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All Saints - come and meet your local neighbourhood team : Wed 07 Jan 12:00

Your local Neighbourhood Team will be at ALL SAINTS VILLAGE HALL and completing foot patrol around A...

Devon and Cornwall Police
04/01/2026 14:46:08

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Musbury - come and meet your local neighbourhood team : Wed 07 Jan 11:00

Your local Neighbourhood Team will be at MUSBURY VILLAGE HALL and completing foot patrol around MUSB...

Devon and Cornwall Police
04/01/2026 14:43:01

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Welcome to one of our new PCSO's

Showing our new PCSO Jacob Reeves the beautiful town of Sidmouth. Meeting lots of lovely people whil...

Devon and Cornwall Police
04/01/2026 12:33:51

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Appeal after motorcross bikes stolen in burglary near Penzance

We are appealing for footage and information following a high-value burglary near Penzance. Between...

Devon and Cornwall Police
23/12/2025 14:10:36

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Upcoming Events

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Axminster Market foot patrol

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