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The latest set of figures released by the British Crime Survey show that Cleveland has one of the lowest crime figures in relation to personal crime in the UK. With a rate of 488 crimes per 10,000 population, only Suffolk and North Wales have a lower rate and the BCS report also highlights a significant reduction in violent and sexual crimes. Chief Constable of Cleveland Police, Sean Price said he welcomed the findings of the BCS, which is regarded as a better reflection of the true extent of household and personal crime. However Mr Price said he noted these findings were in contrast with other parts of the report and the reasons for any differences would be examined. He said: "The reductions we have seen have been built over the last five years and we are continuing to reduce crime year on year. Indeed, over the last five years we have reduced overall crime by nearly 10% with 7933 less victims of crime, whilst for the first quarter of this financial year, I am pleased to say that we have seen a further 16% fall in crime. "On the published data we are also seventh highest in the country for detecting crime for 2007-8 and we are currently performing at an even higher level. "However, we aim to be one of the best performing Forces in the country and, in comparison with some other areas, we still need to make improvements and these will be addressed. "As we move forward I am pleased to say that we have more police officers and PCSOs than ever before and the implementation of our Neighbourhood Policing Teams has proved a great success with the public. "Indeed, a recent independent MORI poll showed over 70% of people questioned reported more confidence in the ability of Cleveland Police to deal with local problems since the introduction of Neighbourhood Policing." Cleveland Police Authority Chair Councillor Dave McLuckie stressed that, whilst levels of recorded crime could be affected by a variety of factors - including the level of police activity and recording practices - the British Crime Survey was regarded by the Government as more reliable because it involved questioning almost 47,000 people right across the country. He explained, "The message that comes through loud and clear from the Crime Survey findings is that confidence in Cleveland police and in bringing offenders to justice is continuing to rise. That is a reflection of the Force's success in driving down crime and increasing detection rates - and the commitment of the police authority to put resources where they really matter...out in the community, working with local people. "Of course, national figures always tend to be a little behind the times and I'm sure that what people in Cleveland will really pleased about is our latest performance figures, which show that in the three months to the end of June the number of recorded crimes was slashed by over 2,800 compared to the same period last year - a fall of 16 per cent - with cuts in almost every category of offence and significant reductions in all four police districts. "Whether it is violence, robberies, burglaries and theft or motor crime, the figures tell the same story...good news for law-abiding citizens and bad news for criminals." The three month figures show violent crime fell by 15.6 per cent' ‘acquisitive crime' - including robbery, burglaries and theft - down by 22.3 per cent and vehicle crime cut 24.4 per cent. The greatest overall fall was in the Redcar and Cleveland District, down by 26.9 per cent, with a 6.9 per cent fall in Hartlepool, a 21.2 per cent reduction in Middlesbrough and a 5.2 per cent cut in Stockton. http://www.cleveland.police.uk/news_ |
