25 th January 2005
Burglary and car crime continue to fall in Kent, reflecting the overall national downward trend in crime announced by the Home Office today (25 January).
At the same time, fewer people are worried about becoming a victim of crime, national and Kent Police research shows.
Home Office statistics published last year confirmed Kent to be one of the safest counties in the England. The latest figures, covering the quarter ending last September, highlight the success of targeted campaigns aimed at keeping it that way.
Burglaries from people’s homes fell by 5.7 percent, or 215 offences, in Kent between April and September. Operation Castle, targeting known offenders and offering advice to residents on protecting their homes, played a large part in this.
The operation initially ran for six weeks in February and March last year, and again in the run-up to Christmas, both times resulting in an increase in arrests and a drop in the number of burglaries.
Drugs offences, often linked to burglary and other theft, are also down – again, targeted campaigns across the county have made it harder for dealers to operate, while at the same time drug users have been offered help to kick their habit.
Thefts of and from vehicles in Kent fell by 6.4 percent, or 619 offences, again reflecting targeted work by officers working in local communities across the county.
Kent’s biggest challenge is in tackling crimes involving violence. These show an 11 per cent increase (1,299 offences), which is in part a result of the introduction of the National Crime Recording Standard and the Sexual Offences Act 2003, which have changed the way crimes are categorised.
However, drink-fuelled violence remains a cause for concern, particularly with the prospect of the introduction of 24-hour drinking. Dealing with this type of problem and to ensure people can socialise safely are priorities for the force and partner organisations, including local crime and disorder reduction partnerships across the county.
Work by specialist officers dealing with vulnerable groups has also resulted in an increase in the number of domestic violence incidents (up 18.4 percent, or 1,474 incidents) and hate crimes motivated by prejudice.
Victims of both types of crime are being urged to come forward, where in the past they did not, to help police identify offenders and bring them to justice.
Changes introduced in the Sexual Offences Act 2003 also show a significant increase (57.2 percent, or 333 offences) in this type of crime, as this category now includes indecent exposure, sexual grooming and a broader definition of rape. Again, the specialist support offered to victims allows people to report crimes where once they might have been reluctant to do so.
Firearms offences remain rare, with 59 dealt with between April and September last year.
Assistant Chief Constable (Area Operations) David Ainsworth said: “ The figures highlight the fact that Kent remains a safe county, where most people are unlikely to become a victim of crime.
“Where particular problems do exist, we are determined to tackle them, working with the local community to find a solution. This is why increasing the number of neighbourhood police officers is so important to us. We know the information and intelligence that local people give us is key to identifying offenders and trends in crime.
“We are also pleased that victims of crimes beyond closed doors – domestic violence and hate crime – now feel more able to come forward. The more people report to us, the more we are able to act to stop behaviour that is totally unacceptable.
“The Chief Constable has already raised his concerns with the Home Office about the increase in binge drinking and we want to work with responsible licensees and others to keep our town centres safe and trouble free for everyone.”
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