Recorded crime down in Cheshire

Official crime statistics for Cheshire have been released, and show a further fall in overall recorded crime for the year to 31 March 2016. 

The figures released today by the Office of National Statistics have shown an overall reduction in recorded crime of 2.2 per cent in Cheshire, which equates to nearly 1,300 fewer victims of crime.

The latest reduction in recorded crime figures makes this the tenth consecutive year of falling recorded crime figures in the county – with Cheshire one of only four areas in England and Wales where crime figures continue to fall.

The statistics show a large fall (17.2 per cent) in vehicle crime along with a 16 per cent reduction in burglaries.

One area where crime has seen an increase is violence against the person (16 per cent). This includes a wide range of crimes such as modern slavery, serious assaults, death by dangerous driving, attempted murder and stalking and harassment.

Speaking about the figures, released today by the Office of National Statistics, Chief Constable Simon Byrne said: “Overall, it is welcome news that the statistics indicate a continuing fall in many crime areas. I believe it reflects positively the work of officers and staff, working with our partners, to protect our communities.

“Many of the crimes that worry our residents have seen falls – like burglary and car crime. And while violence against the person has increased, it’s important to put this into context, and to highlight the work the force is doing, alongside local councils, to make our towns and villages safer, especially in the evenings.

“We’re taking firm action against those bars and clubs that aren’t keeping our young people safe, as has been seen recently by the work we’ve done to close premises in Chester and Warrington where we’ve identified problems. We will continue to work actively to hold businesses to account that we believe aren’t adequately protecting their customers.”

As well as reductions in overall recorded crime, the force’s own information has shown a significant improvement in detection (or ‘solved’) rates for key crimes. Among these more than half (51 per cent) of domestic violence with injury are detected, while over 35 per cent of sexual offences (30 per cent of rape offences) were solved last year – the highest rate for four years.

Meanwhile, according to figures from the Criminal Prosecution Service (CPS), Cheshire victims are more likely to see justice done, with convictions increasing at both magistrate and crown courts, at a level of 91 per cent and 85 per cent respectively – meaning the Cheshire/Merseyside CPS area now has the highest conviction rate in the country as of 31 March 2016.