Police in mid Devon have achieved a 2.8 per cent reduction in the number of crimes this year - even though the force as a whole failed to meet the 2 per cent target.
The figures relate to the 12 months ending in March.
There was a large drop in the number of house burglaries, and criminal damage also fell.
However shoplifting and theft have increased, which police believe is partly caused by benefit cuts causing hardship.
Exeter care agency rated 'inadequate' and in special measures
Bosses at Horizon Care insist change
Raw sewage spews into Plymouth suburb estate and woods
Concerns raised for public health and wildlife in Woolwell
Councillor stands under trees to stop chainsaw massacre
Emergency preservation order now in place
Three years jail for charity box thief
And he can't eat in McDonald's for eight years
Spat over whether 'inadequate' children's services are as bad as MP suggests
Exeter's Steve Race believes they are in 'last chance saloon;
