Crime falls across Nottinghamshire
This is a message from Neighbourhood Alert Information sent on behalf of Nottinghamshire Police
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Jason Crofts (Police, PC 1146, West Bassetlaw, East Bassetlaw & Sherwood)
Crime in Nottinghamshire has fallen by more than 90,000 offences over the last decade.
Between 1 April 2012 and 31 March this year, the force recorded a further 12% reduction in crime, with 68,097 offences, compared to 161,404 offences during the same time in 2002/03.
These figures were presented along with others at the Police and Crime Panel, held at County Hall yesterday (15 April).
This year, domestic burglary has dropped to 4,085 offences – meaning 316 fewer people have had to deal with the aftermath of their homes being targeted by thieves, such as making insurance claims and coping with an invasion of their privacy.
Robbery has fallen by 16.8%, a reduction of 191 offences to 945, whereby personal property has been taken by someone else threatening violence.
A 21.5% reduction in criminal damage saw a fall of 2,924 offences, down to 10,689. Violent crime has seen a 2.9% decrease – 490 fewer victims.
More assets have been seized from criminals, intent on benefiting from the proceeds of their illegal activity, with £1.35m confiscated.
And there has been a significant drop in the number of young people committing crime for the first time and entering into the criminal justice system – down from 880 in 2011/12 to 509 this year.
ACC Ian Waterfield said: “It has been a long and sometimes difficult journey over the past ten years, but we remain focused on doing all we can to reduce crime, and have no intention of becoming complacent.
“The figures show the significant inroads that have already been made but it is important to recognise that this is a reflection of what the public tell us, and we know not everything is reported. However, our officers and staff have worked extremely hard to get us to this position.
“Joint working with partner agencies has also played a major part in this success. Their support of policing operations, provision of additional resources, and recognition of safeguarding the vulnerable makes a considerable difference, both to policing and the public.
“A reduction in crime is good news for everyone, and a consistent fall over the last ten years means that Nottinghamshire is a safe place to live, work, visit, and enjoy. Keeping people safe, locking up bad people, and making sure Nottinghamshire Police gives the best possible service is what we will continually strive to do.”
Chris Cutland, Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner, welcomed the figures and paid tribute to all the people – police, partners and the public and indeed the former Police Authority – who have worked so hard to achieve them.
She said: “In the last ten years the number of victims of crime has fallen by over 93,000 which is, in anyone’s eyes, a significant drop. However, one victim is still one too many and we are very aware that continued improvement is hard to maintain, particularly in these challenging financial times. However, as our Police and Crime Plan illustrates we remain firmly focussed on bigger reductions and more detections with testing targets in all areas!
“There are some really heartening facts in these figures, such as the reduction in the number of young people committing crime for the first time and the drop in criminal damage offences and the fall in violent crime is proof that Nottingham and Nottinghamshire are safer still. I’m aware that the future holds more challenges and so we must all embrace change, build on best practice and commission the most effective combination of services to help us drive down crime still further.”
In 2002/03, all crime totalled 161,404 offences. Nottinghamshire saw one of the highest burglary rates in the country with 16,418 offences; 31,009 vehicles were targeted by criminals, and 1,799 people became victims of a robbery.