Reported crime in Cheshire continues to fall, with Cheshire police recording the fourth largest reduction in recorded crime across England and Wales.
The latest crime statistics, released by the Office of National Statistics on Thursday, October 15th, show that for the 12 months ending June 2015 there has been an overall reduction in reported crime of 4%, which equates to 2,245 fewer crimes, compared to the previous 12 month period.
Cheshire is one of just three police force areas in the north of England, and one of nine across England and Wales, to experience any kind of reduction.
It closely reflects the results released three months ago for the year ending March 2015 and shows that levels of reported crime in the county continue to be at their lowest for the past 25 years.
In particular, the Constabulary has experienced a significant fall in what are known as acquisitive crimes – burglary (-17%), robbery (-20%), theft (-13%) and vehicle offences (-14%). In total there were 3,817 fewer crimes of this type.
However, it is recognised that certain types of crimes, such as those involving violence and sexual offences have risen, though this is in part down to the Constabulary tightening up how it records these offences and also as victims are increasingly confident in reporting these types of offences to us.
DCC Janette McCormick said: "The figures show that we continue to see a steady decline in crimes reported in Cheshire. This is not only testament to the work that we do as a Constabulary, but also to the public for their increased vigilance and awareness of what is going on in their communities, making it more difficult for criminals to carry out their activities.
"I hope these figures provide reassurance that the work we are doing is helping to reduce crime in our communities and that the public can have confidence in reporting incidents to us. We take all reports of crime seriously and endeavour to ensure that each is dealt with appropriately."
Cheshire Constabulary's new operating model of eight Local Policing Units, supported centrally by a Task Force, is now firmly bedded in and their work has been complemented by a number of high profile operations focusing on drug offences, cross-border criminality and anti-social behaviour.
John Dwyer, Police & Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, said: "I am delighted to see that the Constabulary continues to experience a decline in the level of reported crimes. This can only be seen as a positive and is extremely encouraging for anyone concerned with tackling and preventing crime.
"I am proud that crime in our communities is declining. Fewer crimes mean fewer victims in our communities and I am focused on ensuring that those who are victims get the appropriate support they need. In my role as Commissioner, I will continue to work with the Chief Constable to ensure that this momentum is maintained."
Figures released this week showed recorded crime by offences for the Year to June 2015, with (in brackets) the percentage changes when comparing the year to June 2015 with the year to June 2014.
12,059 violence against the person offences (+15), 2 homicide, 1246 sexual offences (+24), 250 robberies (-20), 24,351 theft offences (-13), 5,679 burglaries (-17), 4,288 vehicles offences (-14), 1,013 thefts from the person (-16), 1,449 bicycle thefts (-12), 6,088 shoplifting offences (-8), 8,430 criminal damage and arson offences (-5), 2,645 drug offences (-5), 282 possession of weapon offences (0) and 2,460 public order offences (+18).
