Rural Crime and 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 keen to pursue any offenders involved in rural crime, including recovering stolen goods, proactive late night patrols in hotspot areas, and being 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.

Update: 25 March 2025 - Update 2025

Due to a recent spate of vehicle thefts, Axminster Neighbourhood Team attended an address in Avon and Somerset and arrested a male on suspicion of motor vehicle theft. His property was searched and he was released with bail conditions to not enter Devon. 

Update: 26 March 2024 - Update 2024

At the start of 2024 there was a spate of rural burglaries where motocross bikes and agricultural equipment had been targeted by out of force organised crime groups and stolen. The bikes were retrieved in Avon and Somerset and the investigation is ongoing. The Axminster Neighbourhood Team responded to these incidents with visible presence, targeted patrols, and further investigative enquiries. 

Update: 26 March 2024 - Update 2023

Throughout 2023, over £100,000 of equipment stolen from rural communities in the Axminster area have been returned to the victims of crime. This is through the identification of offenders and the appropriate marking of property. The Neighbourhood Team have continued to engage with rural victims to offer reassurance and safety advice. 

Update: 26 March 2024 - Update 2022

In 2022, there was continued patrols and engagement with rural communities. Investigations of rural crime and offenders, lead to a quad bike being recovered and returned to its owners. The Axminster Neighbourhood Team were able to identify hotspots and times to target identified offenders and prevent loss of agricultural equipment. 

Update: 26 March 2024 - Update 2021

In 2021 there has been regular patrols of rural crime hotspots to ensure the prevention and detection of crime. Posters and signs regarding livestock worrying and car thefts were cascaded in rural areas, and the Axminster Neighbourhood Team engaged with several members of the public whilst out on patrol.

Throughout the year there was a concentration on off road biking and thefts of motocross bikes. In March, a traffic operation targeted these offenders and checked the validity of bikes, their routes, and that the bikes were road worthy. In May, a motocross bike that was stolen from a barn workshop was recovered and returned to the owners. The Axminster Neighbourhood Team also liaised with the local community for reassurance throughout this and acted as a visible presence.

Drug supply and possession

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. 

Update: 25 March 2025 - Update 2025

Axminster NPT have actioned a Section 23 Misuse of Drugs warrant at a premises used for residential and business purposes. A male was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs and was released under investigation. 

Intel from the community is key to the Neighbourhood Team using to develop and gain these warrants. If you wish to report any intel or suspicious activity please use 101 or report anonymously using CrimeStoppers. 

Update: 26 March 2024 - Update 2024

At the start of the year, a Section 23 Misuse of Drugs warrant was executed at a rural premises outside of Axminster. A large cannabis cultivation was found, and a male was arrested.

In March, the Axminster Neighbourhood Team have gained and implemented a Section 23 Misuse of Drugs warrant at an address in Axminster. This was gained through intelligence from the local community. A female remains under investigation at this time on suspicion of conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

The Neighbourhood Team continue to conduct proactive marked and unmarked patrols, to detect and disrupt drug supply, ensuring that intelligence is built, and searches are conducted.

Anti-Social 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.

The Axminster Neighbourhood Team will be actively patrolling these ‘hotspot’ areas during specific times to target ASB. This will be between 0800 and 0930hrs, between 1500 and 1700hrs and between 0000-0300hrs, when they are available. The current hotspots are the Skate Park on Cloakham Drive, Axminster town centre, and Tesco.  

If you witness any incidents of anti-social behaviour, and it is a police matter, please contact us by calling 101 or completing the 101 contact form. Call 999 if you or someone else is in immediate danger.

Update: 25 March 2025 - Update 2025

Numerous Community Protection Warnings have been issued out to adults and children in the Axminster area following incidents of anti-social behaviour in private and public places. This is part of the Community Safety Partnership Scheme with East Devon Council. 

PCSO WIDGER also continues to regularly visit parks and schools in Axminster, to engage with the public and youths. 

Update: 26 March 2024 - Update 2023

In 2023, a residential property was identified to be a hotspot for anti-social behaviour in Axminster. This led to the Neighbourhood Team working with the housing provider to gain a closure order on the property. This resulted in the reduction of ASB and the relocation of the tenants.

The Rural Neighbourhood Team were resourced to patrol the Axminster carnival. Prior to the start of the carnival the team responded to a report of a group of youths threatening others with a hammer. A prompt and effective deployment and information from the public led to two males being arrested for public order offences and possession of offensive weapons. A dispersal order was then implemented on the area, which allowed officers to disperse anyone likely or committing ASB. This allowed the public to enjoy the carnival without disturbance from offenders.

Update: 26 March 2024 - Update 2024

In 2024 the Axminster Neighbourhood Team have continued to patrol ‘hotspot’ ASB areas, engaging with the public and offering a visible reassurance to the public. Offenders of ASB have been identified and referrals have been made to the youth intervention team, local agencies, and schools.

Shoplifting

Shop thefts have increased with Tesco in Axminster being particularly hard hit. High value products such as alcohol and joints of meat are targetted by the offenders. They will often work in pairs or in a group, with one person placing the items in a bag and the others either acting as lookouts or distracting the staff. The offenders often use a vehicle with cloned plates to avoid detection. It is likely that the offenders travel in to Axminster from out of force, reducing the chances of them being recognised.

In response to the increase in shop thefts within the town Axminster NPT has carried out:
- Plain clothes op within Tesco
- Plain clothes op within Co-op
- Regular interaction and foot patrol at Axminster Thursday market
- Regular high vis patrols within stores
- Taken robust action with shop lifters and arresting where possible
- Discussion with stores around setting up DISC/shop watch within the town

Update: 09 March 2025 - Arrests made

Axminster NPT have been working closely with the staff and security team at TESCO AXMINSTER. Plain clothed patrols have been conducted and they have promoted them to report thefts.

On 08/03/2025, Rural East Devon NPT have attended two addresses in Avon and Somerset to arrest two suspects who were prolific offenders of thefts from TESCO AMXINSTER in FEBRUARY 2025. The total of these thefts were £7405. As part of these enquiries, properties were searched, and a male who was wanted was arrested. The two prolific shoplifting offenders were interviewed and charged with a series of thefts, with one of the two recalled to Prison.