Crime figures out this week for Devon and Cornwall would seem to confirm the Police and Crime Commissioner's view that welfare reforms are leading to a rise in some offences.
Public order offences went up by 18 point four per cent in 2013 compared with the year before and there was a 7 point three percent increase in shoplifting.
Tony Hogg believes cuts in benefits are driving some people to steal from shops - and are also creating tensions among families and communities which lead to public order incidents.
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