Success for policing team which saw drop in home burglaries and vehicle thefts in 2017

Purbeck police have taken a look back at 2017 as the new year begins and have shared a range of statistics on how levels of certain crimes changed in the area.

In Purbeck, police saw a 47 per cent reduction in thefts from motor vehicles and a 29 per cent reduction in thefts of vehicles from the previous year.

A Purbeck police spokesman said: “This is as a direct result of some proactive arrests and subsequent conviction of individuals in the early part of the year. Most vehicles broken into are generally left insecure and have items on display.”

The team also reported that there was a 34 per cent reduction in burglaries from homes, thefts from sheds and garages across the area. It says it has worked with partners to promote home security and provide prevention advice to residents in aims to reduce the risk of people becoming victims of crime. 

Purbeck police saw a two per cent increase in the number of offenders brought to justice. 

The spokesman added: “We have also arrested and prosecuted a number of people for burglary offences.”

However, police confirmed that there has been a small rise in crime across Purbeck this year, which they say is due to an increase in assault related crime and low level thefts linked to camp sites or rural related areas. 

They claim that many of the theft crimes are directly linked to increased visitor numbers, and the assaults are domestic related. 

The spokesman said: “The increase in domestic assaults are as a result of a positive campaign by police to encourage more victims of crime to come forward, in order to support and protect vulnerable people.

“We can assure you that Purbeck remains a safe place to live and Purbeck police are working with our partners to ensure that local people are safe and feel safe.

“Thanks for all your help with reporting these crimes. This is essential in ensuring we continue these positive trends for a successful 2018.”