Crime falls across the region
Recorded crime across Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has reduced in the last year according to figures announced today.
Overall reported crime between April 2014 and March 2015 reduced by 5.2% - 4,417 fewer crimes.
During the same period victim based reported crimes reduced 5.9%. The Force has seen a number of reductions in areas including burglary (down 9.7%), vehicle crime (down 10.4%), criminal damage (down 5.7%), and theft (down 12.3%).
Historical figures from the Office of National Statistics, also released today, show that Devon and Cornwall had a 4.3% fall in total recorded crime (excluding fraud) between January 1 2014 and December 31 2014 compared to the same period the previous year.
Deputy Chief Constable Bill Skelly said: “This is a commendable achievement by officers and staff who have been working incredibly hard over the last 12 months, and shows that Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly continues to be one of the safest places to live in the country.
“We are doing everything we can to reduce crime while ensuring victims have the best support, exemplified by our newly launched Victim Care Unit.”
Devon and Cornwall Police’s figures show a rise in reporting of sexual offences (up 20.1%) in the past 12 months. DCC Skelly said: “Victims are central to everything we do. As a police force we focus on the crimes that have the most adverse impact on people’s lives.
“In the past, domestic abuse and sexual offences have traditionally been significantly under reported to police. In partnership with the Police and Crime Commissioner we have continued over the last 12 months to encourage victims to come forward to police.
“These areas remain to be a high priority for the Force, and we hope that an increase in sexual offences figures show that victims have more confidence in reporting these crimes.
Mr Skelly added: “As ever there are areas we wish to see an improvement on. For example we still believe that domestic violence is still an under reported crime and we will continue to work hard in this area to encourage victims to come forward and speak to the police.
“Overall, the fall in reported crime is encouraging and this is down to the excellent work of officers and staff who continue to rise to these challenges to keep our communities safe especially under the tightening financial restraints.”
A full breakdown of the Force annual crime figures can be found on our website and by clicking here.
