Crime falls by 14 per cent in just three years (From Dorset Echo)

Crime falls by 14 per cent in just three years

1:40pm Friday 20th June 2008 in

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CRIME levels in Dorset have gone down by nearly 14 per cent over the last three years, according to new figures.

Home Office figures show that there were 15,257 crimes relating to 10 specific types of crime in 2003-2004, including violent crime, criminal damage and personal robbery.

This fell by 2,112 to 13,145 for 2007-2008 over the three years the county was monitored by the Home Office.

The fall includes a 41 per cent reduction in domestic burglary and a 37.8 per cent reduction in vehicle crime.

The county's Safer Communities Group welcomed the reduction. The group includes Dorset County Council, Dorset Police, Dorset Fire and Rescue Service, Dorset Primary Care Trust and district and borough councils.

Chairman Councillor David Crowhurst said: "We are delighted that through partnership working we have achieved a significant reduction in crime in Dorset.

"However we are not complacent and have already set our crime and disorder priorities and targets for the year ahead."

Coun Crowhurst said that the reduction had been achieved by the many different agencies which make up the Safer Communities Group.

Among initiatives supported by the group during 2007-2008 were youth diversion projects across Dorset aimed at engaging young people at risk of offending and a leaflet launch for those experiencing domestic violence.

Other initiatives were projects aimed at reducing anti-social behaviour, alcohol and drug misuse, crime prevention schemes and laser speed detection devices.

Superintendent Garrick Smith, of Dorset Police, said: "Dorset is one of the safest places in the country to live, with crimes like burglary and vehicle crime at a 10-year low.

"By working with all the partner agencies on the Safer Communities Group we are striving not only to make Dorset even safer but to make sure our residents feel safer too."

The full performance report is due to go before the county's performance overview committee on June 23.