Anti-Social Driving & Vehicle Offences

The Sidmouth 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

Sidmouth Neighbourhood Team have been proactively policing the community and addressing anti-social driving and vehicle offences. Over the past month there have been vehicle tickets issued, vehicles seized, and lots of suitable words of advice given.

The local Neighbourhood Team have been working closely with the Newton Poppleford Community Speed Watch Team to help provide a visible presence on the A3052 and promote road safety for everyone.

There have been numerous residents complaining about the ongoing parking issues in the primary schools in the community and close partnership working has been undertaken with the local schools and local authority to tackle this issue.

We are keen to develop information and intelligence on roads policing offences within the community. This ensures offenders can be targeted and pursued by officers to reduce the risk posed on the roads.If you have any information beneficial to Police in your area, please report this via 101 or CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111.

Actioned 22 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

The Sidmouth Neighbourhood Policing Team have had a large number of reports of anti-social behaviour particularly with youths in the community. A number of crimes are currently being investigated and consultation is ongoing with the Child Centred Policing Team to robustly and fairly deal with those individuals involved. Furthermore, we work closely with local schools to identify youth offenders and ensure that children are appropriately safeguarded, supported, and deterred from committing further issues.

We have issued numerous anti-social behaviour warning letters and escalated warnings for prolific offenders and utilised the power of arrest. We will continue to take robust action on anti-social behaviour and proactively police hotspot areas which are chosen based on the number of reports and from information from the local community.

In the lead up to the Christmas period, PCSO Starkey has been busy visiting local shops in the community to provide crime prevention advice, listen to concerns, and give a reassuring visible presence.

Actioned 22 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

The Sidmouth Neighbourhood Team are currently investigating a number of drug supply offences within the town and have conducted numerous stop-searches throughout the community leading to drugs seized from children and adults. Officers have used covert tactics and intelligence to identify those involved in drugs supply.

We will continue to robustly tackle drugs supply as we understand the significant harm is poses to the local community. We appreciate any and all information shared by the local community to help identify drug offenders. If you have any information regarding drug use or supply in your area, please contact us on our website, 101, or anonymously on CrimeStoppers.

Actioned 22 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 Sidmouth 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

The Sidmouth Neighbourhood Policing Team has seen an increase in the number of reported shed break-ins in particularly rural areas in recent weeks & months. Efforts are ongoing to locate those responsible.

We have been conducting visible patrols in key rural areas and have been providing with victims and other residents with crime prevention advice, support, and guidance.

One arrest has been conducted this month for a large amount of stolen metal in Sidmouth, this suspect was arrested, interviewed, charged, and the stolen property returned all within 24 hours!

Actioned 22 December 2025