Crime in Hertfordshire is down - although burglaries are up
RECORDED crime in Hertfordshire has fallen by 12 per cent in the last year, according to latest figures. Violent crime and robbery were both down by over a fifth, with the number of sexual offences in the county also dropping. But while burglary was down
RECORDED crime in Hertfordshire has fallen by 12 per cent in the last year, according to latest figures.
Violent crime and robbery were both down by over a fifth, with the number of sexual offences in the county also dropping.
But while burglary was down two per cent overall, there has been a 5.6 per cent rise in the number of homes being raided.
The statistics, released this week by the Home Office, cover the period April 2007 to March this year.
A police spokesman said major operations, often in partnership with neighbouring forces because many criminals travelled into the county to commit crime, had been staged to tackle the issue.
And the police also maintained that since April this year, the number of burglars caught and brought to justice had more than doubled.
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Higher-than-average figures for drug offences also appeared in the statistics but police argue that reflects their strong action on tackling drug trafficking in the county.
The statistics show that rates of crime in the county remained low across main categories compared to the national picture and the Herts detection rate rose to 30 per cent - two per cent above the national average.
Knife crime does not emerge as a major problem in the county.
The Home Office statistics list 222 knife and sharp-instrument serious offences in the county for 2007/8 - compared with 7,428 in the London region and 22,151 nationally.
Chief constable Frank Whiteley, said: "These figures mean that there are fewer victims of crime in the county and that criminals are more likely than ever before to be caught and punished for the crimes they commit.
"The results reflect the excellent work being carried out by the officers and staff of Hertfordshire Constabulary alongside our local partners.
"Hertfordshire is a safe county in which overall crime is continuing to fall."
Police authority chairman Yasmin Batliwala said: "These are very encouraging figures, particularly as they build on falling crime figures over a number of years.
