Resort crime falling despite huge rise in visitor numbers

SCARBOROUGH has experienced another fall in reported crime, despite a big increase in visitors flocking to the resort.

Footfall for Scarborough town centre increased by 1.6m people during the year compared with 2008/2009. Yet recorded offences dropped again during 2009-2010 – the fourth year in a row.

Police recorded 7,610 crimes, compared with 8,178, 8517 and 9001 in the three preceding years. Officials say the fall during last year was a huge success given the borough had so many more visitors than in previous year.

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Most areas of crime fell compared with the previous year, except drug offences, But the rise, officers say, was due to police targetting drug crime.

The Safer Neighbourhood team say one of the reasons for the fall has been the Night Marshals and Street Angels who now patrol Scarborough town centre on a Friday and Saturday evening.

Other factors included the response by Scarborough Council, North Yorkshire Police and other partner agencies to reports of anti-social behaviour, and a number of joint initiatives to target hotspots across the borough.

Supt Javad Ali, Scarborough Safer Neighbourhood Commander, said: "A key focus is our commitment to working with the community and our partners to address issues that matter to them.

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"These excellent results could not have been achieved without this partnership working. Through our Safer Neighbourhood teams, we will continue to work together and build on this success."

Jim Dillon, Scarborough Council's Chief Executive, praised the work of police, the Cambridge Centre addiction service, and other organisations and volunteers.

"This work however cannot be done without the support of the vast majority of the local community, which we continue to receive. The local community is the key to continuing to reduce crime," he added.

Barry Graham, Crime Reduction and Anti-Social Behaviour Co-ordinator for the Safer Community Partnership, underlined the authorities could not maintain low crime and reduce disorder without the public help.

He encouraged people to continue to report issues to all partners and take reasonable steps to combat crime and disorder.