Antisocial driving and vehicle offences (including road crime)

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 these criteria. This also includes the use of unrestricted e-bikes and e-scooters being used on public highways.

Issued 01 May 2026

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

Members of the public have expressed concerns about speeding vehicles in KILMINGTON and along the A358 at MUSBURY. The AXMINSTER NEIGHBOURHOOD TEAM has completed speed checks along these locations in April and will continue to proactively attend the location and carry out speed checks when able. Results below:

Kilmington Village Hall 23/04/2026 1755 - 1830

Under 20mph - 12 vehicles
21 - 25mph - 14 vehicles
26 - 30mph - 5 vehicles
31 - 35mph - 3 vehicles
36 - 40mph - 0 vehicles
TOTAL = 34 vehicles

A358 Musbury 23/04/2026 1842 - 1915

Under 20mph - 2 vehicles
21 - 25mph - 12 vehicles
26 -30mph - 64 vehicles
31 - 35mph - 61 vehicles
36 - 40mph - 38 vehicles
41 - 45mph - 2 vehicles
46 - 50mph - 1 vehicle
TOTAL 180 vehicles

A speed op is planned for later this year involving members of the Devon and Cornwall Road Safety Team and CREWKERNE ROAD and LYME ROAD will be included as part of this operation

Further traffic ops will be planned throughout the year.

Actioned 01 May 2026

Town centre and youth ASB

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 District Council, local schools, local shops, pubs, and Devon Highways.

Axminster has a ‘HOTSPOT’ which officers regularly patrol on foot and in marked police vehicles. This ‘HOTSPOT’ covers the town centre including the Minster Green, the rear of TESCO and CASTLE STREET. This ‘HOTSPOT’ has been developed using the data from recorded crimes and ASB incidents and enables officers to target their patrols accordingly.

Issued 01 May 2026

ASB patrols have continued throughout APRIL, particularly in hot spot areas around the MINSTER GREEN, TESCO and WEST STREET.

On SATURDAY APRIL 4TH, the AXMINSTER NEIGHBOURHOOD TEAM held a community Easter event alongside local businesses, primary schools and the Minster Church. The event attracted families from across the patch with more than 100 children taking part. This provided an invaluable opportunity for the team to engage with families and children and promote partnership working in the community.

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 01 May 2026

Cross border crime (including rural crime)

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. Due to the very nature of where AXMINSTER, and the surrounding parishes, is positioned in the county, close to the border with Somerset and Dorset, there is an ongoing threat of criminals from out of force committing offences within the locality.

The Axminster team, with assistance from the wider east Devon Neighbourhood Team, will continue to target offenders who travel in from out of force and disrupt their activities. The team also works closely with their counterparts in Avon and Somerset and Dorset to share information and target known offenders.

As part of our commitment to engaging with rural communities the team has visited every parish within its patch and carried out village walk abouts as well as police surgeries at village halls. 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 01 May 2026

Rural engagement took place at KILMINGTON in APRIL with officers visiting the location, conducting foot patrol and spending time speaking to residents and carrying out speed checks in response to residents concerns about speeding through the village.

The team has held a meeting with our counterparts in Avon and Somerset to discuss ongoing concerns about known individuals committing offences across the two counties. Following on from the meeting both teams have committed to working closely to target and disrupt those who operate across our respective borders.

Further rural engagement to take place throughout the year.

Actioned 01 May 2026