Crime Down by 10% Locally

Home Office crime figures have revealed Cambridgeshire is one of only five forces in the country to have experienced a double-digit percentage fall in offences.

The statistics for England and Wales, published today (January 19), are for the 12 month period to the end of September last year and are compared with the same 12 month period the year before.

Total crime fell in Cambridgeshire by 10 per cent - compared to a four per cent drop nationally - from 58,678 offences to 52,689.

The fall in robberies was particularly dramatic - by 34 per cent compared to a four per cent rise nationally - from 713 to 473 offences.

There were also fewer domestic burglaries, an 18 per cent drop from 3586 to 2935 offences, and incidents of criminal damage fell by 15 per cent, from 10,104 to 8576 offences.

Drugs offences increased by 38 per cent, from 2115 to 2918 offences, but this rise is believed to reflect the force’s tough approach to tackling those who supply drugs across the county.

Chief Constable Simon Parr said: "I am delighted to see a reduction in total crime compared to the previous 12 month period, especially in robbery and domestic burglary. Over the year, it represents nearly 6,000 fewer victims of crime in the county.

"However, we are not complacent and our efforts to target offenders and reduce the number of victims will continue unabated.

"The financial future is still challenging for the force but our commitment is to try to maintain a high level of performance while we change the way we deliver our service and ensure we protect members of the community who are most at risk."