Thefts on increase in region but crime rate dips

Drug offences rose by nine per cent around the region during 2011 while burglaries to “non-dwellings” – buildings people are not living in – increased by three per cent with some 404,618 crimes being reported to Yorkshire’s four police forces.

Recorded crime overall fell by one per cent across the region, however, with reports of criminal damage having decreased by nine per cent and violent crimes by seven per cent.

North Yorkshire Police recorded the biggest drop at three per cent, with South Yorkshire Police and West Yorkshire Police seeing drops of two per cent and one per cent respectively.

Humberside Police force saw crime levels remain static with no overall percentage change.

North Yorkshire Police’s Chief Constable Grahame Maxwell said the decrease was “a credit to our officers, staff and partner agencies”.

He added: “I have nothing but the highest praise for the collective drive and sheer will to improve the quality of life and safety in the neighbourhoods we police.”

South Yorkshire Police’s Deputy Chief Constable Bob Dyson also welcomed the figures.

He said: “These are challenging times for the police service but today’s figures show our ongoing commitment to tackle crime and keep people safe. This year has also seen an eight per cent drop in antisocial behaviour incidents across the Force, demonstrating our efforts to address the issues that matter to local communities.

“Maintaining this performance will not be easy but we’ll continue to use our resources as effectively as possible to deliver the best possible service to people in South Yorkshire.”

Nationally, muggings and street robberies increased by eight per cent last year while burglaries went up by one per cent and car thefts increased by two per cent.

Serious sexual crimes rose by two percent on police records.

The crime figures are published in a new way this year. Previously published as the British Crime Survey, the data was published this time by the Office for National Statistics rather than the Home Office.

Separate figures from the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) showed “no statistically significant change in overall crime” with police recording three per cent fewer incidents.

Deputy Chief Constable Douglas Paxton, of the Association of Chief Police Officers, praised police for a “reduction in crime and rise in public confidence alongside ongoing efforts to secure significant cash savings”.

Mr Paxton added: “Particularly pleasing is the reduction in criminal damage shown in both police statistics and the crime survey.

“However there has been increases in opportunistic thefts and robbery offences and police forces are continuing their efforts to work with partners and the public to prevent these offences.

“The service is determined to continue to build on the good work reflected in these publications and the results are a credit to those officers and staff who have faced the challenge of major efficiencies while continuing to tackle crime in our communities.”

Policing Minister Nick Herbert said crime remained too high and added: “Police forces and local agencies need to focus on the areas of concern, and from November this year police and crime commissioners will be elected with a mission to drive down crime.

“We will do all we can to cut bureaucracy and give officers the freedom they need to do the job.”

Shadow Policing Minister David Hanson said: “David Cameron is taking huge risks with the fight against crime.

“At a time when robbery and personal theft is on the rise, the Tory-led Government is cutting over 16,000 police officers and removing crucial powers for the police in their use of DNA and making it harder for communities to install CCTV.

“Despite their promises to protect the front line, we know that thousands of officers have already been taken out of 999 response teams, neighbourhood teams and traffic units.”

Comment: Page 12.