Crime Rates Drop

CRIME RATES DROP

Crime rates fell by 8% across Hambleton and Richmondshire last year – testament to a partnership approach to dealing with crime and anti social behaviour. 

The headline figures show a reduction of 19% in burglaries of people’s homes and almost 28% in thefts of motor vehicles.  Offences of criminal damage and violence were also well down on the previous 12 months.

The Hambleton and the Richmondshire Community Safety Partnerships - which now work as one organisation - work across the same area as the Safer Neighbourhood Command (SNC) of North Yorkshire Police led by Superintendent Amanda Oliver.

Both partnerships have worked hard with their local police teams to achieve the very low crime levels across both districts - and prove the success of the new arrangements for the partnership and North Yorkshire Police.

“These results reflect the hard work put in by partner agencies and the community across our district,” said Carl Doonan, Chair of the Hambleton and Richmondshire Anti-Social Behaviour Group.

“Projects have included supporting the volunteer watch schemes; community ‘Safer Sessions’ in local supermarkets, providing advice and crime prevention materials to the general public; crime and anti-social behaviour workshops in secondary schools, and Alcohol Respect Campaigns in Market Towns to reduce the underage purchase of alcohol.

“We want to improve even more during 2011 and will be looking at rural crime and ways to protect our borders. We will also be working with key partners such as Age Concern to help tackle the fear of crime.  We want our residents not only to be safe but to feel safe.”

Amanda Oliver, Police Area Commander for Hambleton and Richmondshire added: ”I am delighted that the Hambleton and Richmondshire partnership has performed so effectively in working together to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour across the area. 

“Our challenge now is to build on these results in the coming year.  We realise this will not be easy but we are already working together on further crime reduction initiatives.  Joint working across Hambleton and Richmondshire allows us to target our resources where and when they are needed.  Supported by our communities and our partners we can be even more effective.   Rural crime continues to be our biggest challenge across such a large area and requires the support of all our communities to help us to be effective. 

“Our communities should feel reassured that the partners will continue to work together to build on these successes over the coming months. We want our communities to feel confident in the knowledge that our area continues to be one of the safest places to live and work in England.” 

April 20, 2011