Crime in Suffolk is still falling, police say
Thursday, 19th July 2012.
Figures for the first quarter of 2012/13 show that crime in Suffolk has dropped by 13 per cent compared with the previous year.
The figures from April 1 to June 30, released by the constabulary today, show that 10,491 crimes were recorded, a drop of 1,633.
This continues the trend reported in April of this year, showing that crime in the county has been falling for six consecutive years.
These figures are set against the difficult financial backdrop faced by Suffolk Police which, in the last year alone, has made savings of £5m.
Figures reveal that robbery is down by 21 per cent, an improvement from April’s end of year figures, which had shown an increase.
Tackling robbery is a force priority, and a specialist team was set up towards the end of 2011 and is proving successful.
Sexual offences reduced by 8.1 per cent, and work continues to reduce crime in this area. Norfolk and Suffolk Police recently launched a joint campaign to raise awareness of this type of crime, with over 1,000 people viewing the campaign’s short film on the subject.
Other priority areas for the constabulary, based on public concerns, are crimes involving violence with injury, which have seen a drop of 9.8 per cent and improving the ‘solved rate’ of crimes such as burglary, robbery and serious sexual offences.
The number of ‘solved’ crimes in relation to robbery has increased, but has decreased in relation to domestic burglary. Dedicated work, such as continuing the use of ‘Smartwater’ will be carried out in this area.
Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Tim Newcomb said: “It is very pleasing to see that for the first quarter of this year, which we have entered having made substantial cuts to departments across the constabulary, crime has significantly dropped.
“We are working hard to ensure that while we strive to meet the large financial savings required of us, which amount to some £17.7m by 2014/15, we maintain a visible frontline policing presence and continue to keep our county safe.
“A significant proportion of the savings made so far have been possible as a result of our extensive collaborative work with Norfolk Constabulary. The effectiveness of this work has recently been praised in parliament.
"By collaborating over both operational policing units and business support functions, we have been able to find the savings required, while protecting frontline policing, which we know is of the utmost importance to our communities.
“We will not become complacent however, and we recognise the huge challenge ahead of us as we continue to make savings whilst providing a first class service.
"We have successfully re-organised local policing to ensure we are getting the most possible from our resources, and we continue to look for new ways to improve services while creating efficiencies.”
The chairman of Suffolk Police Authority, Joanna Spicer, said:“This is very encouraging news, particularly in the environment of extreme financial challenges that we currently face.
"A 13 per cent drop in crime across the county for the first part of this year is a very positive outcome, which I feel reflects our continued endeavours to secure an efficient and effective policing service for Suffolk and remain one of the lowest cost forces in the country.”
The figures from April 1 to June 30, released by the constabulary today, show that 10,491 crimes were recorded, a drop of 1,633.
This continues the trend reported in April of this year, showing that crime in the county has been falling for six consecutive years.
These figures are set against the difficult financial backdrop faced by Suffolk Police which, in the last year alone, has made savings of £5m.
Figures reveal that robbery is down by 21 per cent, an improvement from April’s end of year figures, which had shown an increase.
Tackling robbery is a force priority, and a specialist team was set up towards the end of 2011 and is proving successful.
Sexual offences reduced by 8.1 per cent, and work continues to reduce crime in this area. Norfolk and Suffolk Police recently launched a joint campaign to raise awareness of this type of crime, with over 1,000 people viewing the campaign’s short film on the subject.
Other priority areas for the constabulary, based on public concerns, are crimes involving violence with injury, which have seen a drop of 9.8 per cent and improving the ‘solved rate’ of crimes such as burglary, robbery and serious sexual offences.
The number of ‘solved’ crimes in relation to robbery has increased, but has decreased in relation to domestic burglary. Dedicated work, such as continuing the use of ‘Smartwater’ will be carried out in this area.
Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Tim Newcomb said: “It is very pleasing to see that for the first quarter of this year, which we have entered having made substantial cuts to departments across the constabulary, crime has significantly dropped.
“We are working hard to ensure that while we strive to meet the large financial savings required of us, which amount to some £17.7m by 2014/15, we maintain a visible frontline policing presence and continue to keep our county safe.
“A significant proportion of the savings made so far have been possible as a result of our extensive collaborative work with Norfolk Constabulary. The effectiveness of this work has recently been praised in parliament.
"By collaborating over both operational policing units and business support functions, we have been able to find the savings required, while protecting frontline policing, which we know is of the utmost importance to our communities.
“We will not become complacent however, and we recognise the huge challenge ahead of us as we continue to make savings whilst providing a first class service.
"We have successfully re-organised local policing to ensure we are getting the most possible from our resources, and we continue to look for new ways to improve services while creating efficiencies.”
The chairman of Suffolk Police Authority, Joanna Spicer, said:“This is very encouraging news, particularly in the environment of extreme financial challenges that we currently face.
"A 13 per cent drop in crime across the county for the first part of this year is a very positive outcome, which I feel reflects our continued endeavours to secure an efficient and effective policing service for Suffolk and remain one of the lowest cost forces in the country.”
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