Police hail night buses after crime lowers

Bus services were put on in north Devon and Newquay from July to September

Summer night bus services were a "great success" in helping lower crimes across parts of Devon and Cornwall, police said.

Devon and Cornwall Police said 2,144 people used a Stagecoach service for Bideford, Barnstaple and Ilfracombe and a circular First Bus service for Newquay which operated from 6 July and 7 September.

The services - which ran from Saturday nights into Sunday morning - were part of an initiative to tackle offences like drink-driving, violence against women and anti-social behaviour (ASB), the force added.

The force said crime and ASB reports fell by 35% in North Devon and 10% in Newquay compared to the previous summer, while drink-driving offences also reduced.

Police said funding for the project was supplied by Devon County Council, North Devon Council, Torridge District Council, Cornwall County Council, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and Crimestoppers.

The force added it is hoped the funding can be obtained to run the night-bus service again in the coming months.

Sgt Dave Flynn said: "This initiative was a great success and we are pleased that so many people used the bus services.

"This means we recorded fewer offences and more people were kept safe from harm."