Crime rate continues to fall

NEW figures from the British Crime Survey show that not only is Cheshire a safer place to live, but that people feel safer too.
Overall there has been a five percent decrease in recorded crime across the county.
The figures reflect the period between April last year and the end of March this year. They show 542 fewer offences of violent crime, while offences of robbery decreased by 16 per cent compared with the national trend which saw a one per cent increase, meaning there were 68 less victims of robbery in the county.
Similarly, acquisitive crime, where property is stolen, saw a 6 per cent reduction across all categories of burglary.
Home owners got even better news, as burglaries targeting homes, as opposed to business or commercial premises, dropped by 764 and there were 842 fewer offences involving motor vehicle.
Criminal damage to property was also down with almost 2,000 fewer offences.
Assistant Chief Constable Phil Thompson said: “Crime statistics are useful measures in helping the Constabulary and the community to understand where the trends are, and the impact of focusing action and resources on particular hotspots or issues.
“However, a key indicator for the Constabulary is not just the number of recorded crimes, but the perceptions of the community we are here to serve. We are pleased to note from this report that the public of Cheshire do feel safer.”
Ten per cent fewer people believe there to be a high level of anti-social behaviour.
Similarly, perceptions that drug use or dealing, and drunk or rowdy behaviour is a problem are lower in Cheshire than in the North West or nationally, suggesting that people in Cheshire really do feel safer. Similarly, 60 per cent of the community felt that police were doing an excellent or good job.
Crime trends will fluctuate, and in addition to this focused police activity can often result in an increase in recorded crime, as people become more confident in reporting particular types of offences or criminal activity. This is particularly apparent in respect of sexual offences which saw a 5 per cent increase in crimes reported.
ACC Thompson said, “The increase in reported sexual offences is a positive outcome. It has long been known that the number of sexual offences reported to police did not reflect the true number of offences.
“We have worked hard to improve the confidence of victims to come forward and report the crimes against them, resulting in more perpetrators of sexual crimes being brought before the courts.”
Other reported crimes which saw an increase are fraud and forgery and drug offences – all up 10 per cent due to targeted operations as well as an increase in making off without payment offences.