Crime levels fall in Suffolk for fifth year running
Thursday, 14th July 2011.
End-of-year figures show that crime in Suffolk is at a ten-year low and latest figures released by police reveal that three months on, crime has continued to fall in the county.
The Home Office has today released crime statistics for England and Wales in 2010/11. The figures, from April 1, 2010, to March 31, 2011, show there were 46,357 crimes recorded in Suffolk – 4,135 fewer crimes than in the same period in 2001/2002.
Compared with 2009/10, there has been a fall in crime of 0.2 per cent, and it is the fifth year in a row that crime in Suffolk has decreased, demonstrating that Suffolk remains a safe place to live, work and visit.
During the last three months (April, May and June) crime in Suffolk continues to remain low with 649 fewer crimes than in the same period last year, equating to a decrease of 5.1 per cent.
The latest figures show:
• Violence against the person has decreased by 13 per cent (361 fewer crimes);
• Vehicle crime has seen a decrease of 1.9 per cent (19 fewer crimes);
• Robbery increased by 7.7 per cent (six more crimes);
• Criminal damage decreased by ten per cent, with 279 fewer crimes; and
• Domestic burglary increased by seven per cent (36 more crimes).
Asst Chief Constable Paul Marshall said: “We have faced a great many challenges this year, not least the financial implications of the spending review, so it is extremely pleasing that crime remains low.
"This further reflects the fact that not only is Suffolk a safe county but it is one of the most efficient forces in the country.”
However, ACC Marshall added: “Historically July and August are very busy months for us and we have been preparing ourselves for this fact.
"We have recently increased staff in the Force Operations Room to tackle an increased volume of emergency and non-emergency calls.
"This is a temporary measure and is only done on the basis that our response teams remain adequately staffed to carry out their usual duties and that the level of service of frontline policing does not reduce. However, it is one of many areas we need to focus on.
“Suffolk has seen an increase in domestic burglary in the last three months in comparison with the same period last year and we continue to target these offenders as a priority.
"However, we would like to take this opportunity to remind residents to take precautions to help keep the burglars out. More than a quarter of all domestic burglaries in Suffolk are as a result of insecurity – an unlocked door, an open window.
"It is important that people realise how they can avoid becoming a victim of burglary by following simple crime prevention advice and checking that their doors and windows are locked every time they go out.”
Joanna Spicer, chairman of Suffolk Police Authority said: “These latest figures show that the force continues to perform well. During these difficult times it is pleasing to see that crime remains low in Suffolk, which is a credit to the officers and staff within the constabulary.
“We are aware that it will be difficult to sustain these levels with reduced resources but we will continue to monitor the constabulary’s progress in the year ahead to ensure that everything is being done so that Suffolk residents feel their county is safe and their police force is doing a good job.”
The Home Office has today released crime statistics for England and Wales in 2010/11. The figures, from April 1, 2010, to March 31, 2011, show there were 46,357 crimes recorded in Suffolk – 4,135 fewer crimes than in the same period in 2001/2002.
Compared with 2009/10, there has been a fall in crime of 0.2 per cent, and it is the fifth year in a row that crime in Suffolk has decreased, demonstrating that Suffolk remains a safe place to live, work and visit.
During the last three months (April, May and June) crime in Suffolk continues to remain low with 649 fewer crimes than in the same period last year, equating to a decrease of 5.1 per cent.
The latest figures show:
• Violence against the person has decreased by 13 per cent (361 fewer crimes);
• Vehicle crime has seen a decrease of 1.9 per cent (19 fewer crimes);
• Robbery increased by 7.7 per cent (six more crimes);
• Criminal damage decreased by ten per cent, with 279 fewer crimes; and
• Domestic burglary increased by seven per cent (36 more crimes).
Asst Chief Constable Paul Marshall said: “We have faced a great many challenges this year, not least the financial implications of the spending review, so it is extremely pleasing that crime remains low.
"This further reflects the fact that not only is Suffolk a safe county but it is one of the most efficient forces in the country.”
However, ACC Marshall added: “Historically July and August are very busy months for us and we have been preparing ourselves for this fact.
"We have recently increased staff in the Force Operations Room to tackle an increased volume of emergency and non-emergency calls.
"This is a temporary measure and is only done on the basis that our response teams remain adequately staffed to carry out their usual duties and that the level of service of frontline policing does not reduce. However, it is one of many areas we need to focus on.
“Suffolk has seen an increase in domestic burglary in the last three months in comparison with the same period last year and we continue to target these offenders as a priority.
"However, we would like to take this opportunity to remind residents to take precautions to help keep the burglars out. More than a quarter of all domestic burglaries in Suffolk are as a result of insecurity – an unlocked door, an open window.
"It is important that people realise how they can avoid becoming a victim of burglary by following simple crime prevention advice and checking that their doors and windows are locked every time they go out.”
Joanna Spicer, chairman of Suffolk Police Authority said: “These latest figures show that the force continues to perform well. During these difficult times it is pleasing to see that crime remains low in Suffolk, which is a credit to the officers and staff within the constabulary.
“We are aware that it will be difficult to sustain these levels with reduced resources but we will continue to monitor the constabulary’s progress in the year ahead to ensure that everything is being done so that Suffolk residents feel their county is safe and their police force is doing a good job.”
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