Thursday 25 January 2007 - 971

HERTFORDSHIRE CRIME BELOW NATIONAL LEVELS

NATIONAL crime statistics released today show that crime in Hertfordshire fell between July and September 2006 compared the same period in 2005 and, further statistics released today also show that levels of burglary, homicide and firearms offences are all significantly below national figures.

For the three month period, overall recorded crime in Hertfordshire fell by 1%, serious violence fell by 47%, burglary fell by 7% and vehicle crime by 8%. There was however an increase in robbery, with an extra 70 offences.

In a separate report issued today comparing the years 2004/5 and 2005/6, dwelling burglaries in Hertfordshire are shown to have fallen by 12% - or 652 less homes burgled. Distraction burglaries in the same period fell by 16% - 71 less offences. The rate of burglaries per 10,000 households in Hertfordshire is 110, compared to 135 nationally.

Separate reports on firearms offences and homicides showed offences dropping in Hertfordshire for the same period from 139 to 114, a drop of 18% compared to a 1% rise nationally . This means that there are 11 offences per 100,000 population in Hertfordshire, compared to 21 nationally. The homicide rate in Hertfordshire was 9.5 per 100,000 population compared to 14 nationally.

Ian Laidlaw-Dickson, Chair of Herts Police Authority said: "These figures are very encouraging, particularly as they build on reductions in crime in the preceding years. Figures for serious violent crime and burglary have dropped considerably compared to the national picture and reinforces our position that Hertfordshire continues to be one of the safest counties in the country. We will continue to work with our partners and all communities to cut crime even further, particularly robbery, and to get across the important message that this is a low crime county with falling crime levels. ".

Chief Constable Frank Whiteley said: “ These figures are encouraging, and reflect some of the excellent work being carried out by the officers and staff of Hertfordshire Constabulary alongside our local authority and criminal justice board partners to target criminals and make Hertfordshire an even safer county.”

Herts Beat 2007
Central Area

Herts Beat 2007
Western Area