CRIME has been on the decrease in Newquay despite there being more visitors to the town.

There were 220 crimes in May compared to 249 in April, a reduction of 11.6 per cent.

A number of offence groups saw a decrease include criminal damage from 29 to 15, public order offences from 22 to 21, violence with injury from 42 to 33 and bicycle theft from six to zero.

Offence groups that saw a rise in crime include residential burglary from four to five, possession of drugs from five to nine, shoplifting from 19 to 20, stalking and harassment from 23 to 27, vehicle offences from three to six, violence without injury from 34 to 36 and rape from two to five.

Inspector Steve Johnson revealed the crime figures at Newquay Town Council’s meeting on Wednesday, June 4.

Insp Johnson said: “Over the last couple of months we are actually lower in our crime figures than we were last year. Ordinarily this time of year I would expect a steady increase, which would appear natural to geography we have got here.

“We are a holiday resort and naturally our crime does tend to go up in the summer however I’m pleased to say that is not the case for May this year.”

“There were a mixture of increases and decreases as per normal but overall crime is down through May compared to last year.

“Noticeable increases that will cause some concern are around the rape offences. As per normal there is context to this and I am always keen to point out the percentage figure can cause alarm, when actually the figures are low to begin with.

“Another noticeable increase is in vehicle crime. This is due to a few damage reports, but not down to a particular area.

“Positive decreases in bicycle thefts, of which last month’s number were attributed to someone who is now in prison as a result. Of note two of those bicycles were electric type, worth in excess of £10,000 and stolen from the back of a camper van from a couple on a touring holiday. These were recovered within 24 hours of the report to us. And they had them returned.

“They left the county with a smile on their face, which is nice. It’s not all the time that we get that. We are doing some things right hopefully.

“The decrease in criminal damage reports is the reduction in graffiti although I know this won’t be noticeable to everyone as the legacy is still there to see.

“There are a number of projects ongoing to try an address this. A visual audit was carried out last month to ensure we capture where it is and what needs addressing.

“It is slow progress, but it is quite difficult to deal with.

“Shoplifting is down, which is good. Over the last six months we are down about 15 per cent that is the result of finding those responsible. We are fortunate at the moment that some of those people are being accommodated elsewhere shall I say.”