Hertfordshire crime down again (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)

Hertfordshire crime down again

9:31am Monday 20th July 2009 in

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CRIME recorded by police fell by five per cent across Hertfordshire in 2008/9 although domestic burglaries rose significantly.

The fall in the overall annual figure continues the recent trend and incorporates declines of nine per cent in violent crime and 12 per cent in motor vehicle offences.

The police detection rate has risen to 33 per cent, well above the national average of 28 per cent.

Chief Constable Frank Whiteley said: “These statistics should help reassure residents that Hertfordshire is a safe county in which overall crime is continuing to fall and that criminals are more likely to be caught and punished for the crimes they commit. These results build on several years of sustained crime reduction and are a reflection of the excellent work being carried out by constabulary officers, staff and volunteers.

“The one cause for concern was that whilst overall burglary fell by three per cent, the burglary of dwellings, after falling to its lowest ever level in 2006/2007 rose by nine per cent in 2008/9.

“However significant work has been put in to tackling burglary and since April 2009 burglary of dwellings has fallen by over 12 per cent.”