A total of 78 incidents were reported between April 1 and July 23 compared with 75 during the same period last year.

The biggest jumps were in criminal damage – up from 10 to 17 – and theft, which was up to 29 from 24.

However, incidents of violence were down from 27 to 13.

There were seven auto crimes (up from four), a total of eight burglaries (up from seven) and four other reported crimes.

As reported in last week’s Mercury, there has been a spate of incidents of anti-social behaviour around the community centre, including mopeds and scooters caus- ing a nuisance and vandalism.

Also last month, traffic police in conjunction with Customs and Excise were active along the A165 using the automated number plate recognition system.

During the day-long blitz, there was one arrest for drink driving, two people were reported or fined for having no insurance and two were fined for not having an MOT certificate.