Latest crime statistics released today (Thursday) shows a decrease in reports of burglaries and thefts across the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland area.
The Office of National Statistics data compares crimes recorded across all forces in 2019 to those recorded in 2018.
Analysis of the figures show a fall in some offences including residential burglaries which decreased by 13% during 2019 when compared to the previous year with 5,222 offences recorded in 2019. Another example shows theft from the person offences decreased by 20% in 2019 to 1,023 offences recorded.
When compared to population figures, this is equivalent to 4.8 residential burglaries and 0.9 theft from the person offences being recorded for every 1,000 people in the force area.
However the data does also show an increase in other crimes recorded including violence with injury offences which increased during 2019 by 10% when compared to the previous year with 7,864 offences of this description recorded last year.
This is equivalent to 7.2 violence with injury offences being recorded for every 1,000 people in the force area.
Officers across the force remain dedicated to preventing and detecting all crimes reported and are continuing to work to raise awareness and to provide crime prevention advice and support.
Chief Constable Simon Cole said: “We continually monitor crime data within force to determine our priorities and assist with our ongoing work.
“However where we see reports of decreases such as with burglaries and thefts, while this can be seen as positive news, in no way does it alter the way we work and the determination we have to prevent and detect these crimes and to keep our communities safe.
“Violent crime is an issue we are constantly addressing in force. These offences are completely unacceptable and we continue to act on information we receive to investigate offences. We also continue to work with communities and partner agencies to raise awareness of the impact these crimes can have.”
Initiatives developed by the force include the Knives Not Lives Campaign which was first launched in 2016. In January this year, the latest phase of the campaign was launched with some hard-hitting imagery to show the true dangers of knife crime.
In December last year, it was also announced that Leicester’s Violence Reduction Network, which is based at the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner offices in Leicester, has been secured until 2021. This is thanks to additional funding of £880,000 to boost current and new initiatives to raise awareness of and tackle violent crime.
The Police and Crime Commissioner, Lord Willy Bach, said that the figures mirrored those provided by his own scrutiny team and that Leicestershire residents should be reassured that Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland remains one of the safest areas in the region. He added that if you looked specifically at violence with injury, Leicestershire has the lowest rate per capita in the East Midlands.
He said: “I know that many people are concerned about crimes, such as violence and sexual violence, burglary, robbery and so on and I’m pleased to see that it is clear that Leicestershire Police is tackling those issues. One crime will always be one crime too many so no-one is complacent and the work will continue, even during these particularly challenging times, to prevent crime and arrest criminals.”
Chief Constable Cole added: “Of course, these figures provide one snapshot of crime data and during the start of this year, particularly with the current circumstances in relation to Covid-19, we have again seen crime patterns change.
“Earlier this month, we reported how reports of serious violent crime, domestic assaults, road traffic collisions and domestic burglaries in one week had all decreased when compared to the same week in 2019. Reports of anti-social behaviour and assaults on police officers had increased though.
“Crime patterns can constantly change and we continue to adapt to this and address this. Our message to you, at any time, is to continue to report incidents of any nature to us and continue to provide information to us so that we can work together and continue to fight crime and to keep you safe.
“Please also ensure you continue to take steps to keep yourselves and your property safe. We have plenty of crime prevention advice and tips on our force website at https://www.leics.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/
“You can report crime online at https://www.leics.police.uk/ro/report/ or by calling 101. Always call 999 in an emergency.”
Ends
Ruth Mansfield
Media Relations Officer
Communications and Public Engagement Directorate
Leicestershire Police
Telephone: 0116 222 8484
Direct Ext: 3307411
Media Relations Team Ext: 2400
Posted on Thursday 23rd April 2020