Crime continues to fall in Cumbria - annual figures released

Police statistics for the 2010/11 financial year have revealed that crime continues to fall in Cumbria.

The number of incidents reported to Cumbria Police fell from 28,233 in 09/10 to 27,103 in 10/11, a drop of four per cent, representing 1,130 fewer victims of crime.

Tackling antisocial behaviour was the top priority for communities across Cumbria, and the annual statistics reveal that incidents of this nature fell by 11.4 per cent – from 37,157 reported incidents in 09/10 to 32,936 in 10/11.

The statistics also confirm that reports of burglary are down by 13.5 per cent, from 772 to 668, giving Cumbria some of the lowest rates of burglary in the UK. Criminal damage is down by 6.7 per cent, from 7,426 to 6,925; vehicle crime is down by 13 per cent, from 1,796 to 1,563; violent crime is down by 3.6 per cent, from 7,027 to 6,771; and hate crime is down by 15.3 per cent, from 248 to 210.

Reports of domestic violence increased from 5,597 in 09/10 to 6,455 in 10/11, as did the number of violent sexual crimes, which rose from 267 reported crimes in 09/10 to 301 in 10/11. Cumbria still has some of the lowest incidents of serious and sexual crime in the whole of the UK and the rise follows a concerted effort by police and partner agencies to encourage victims to make the first step by reporting incidents to the authorities.

The number of serious violent crimes reported to police rose from 210 in 09/10 to 263 in 10/11, which is mainly due to the West Cumbria Shootings where, tragically, so many individual crimes were linked to one major incident.

Chief Constable Craig Mackey said: “I am pleased with our performance over the last twelve months and happy that crime remains low in Cumbria.

“Tackling antisocial behaviour is the top priority for local communities, so a fall of eleven per cent in this category is particularly pleasing. We will continue to work closely with local residents and partner agencies to focus on the issues and concerns that matter most in each community. Our low rates of burglary also highlight what a safe place Cumbria is.

“An additional 34 serious sexual crimes were reported to police in the county last year, and there was an increase in the number of domestic violence incidents. On the one hand it is encouraging to know that victims have the confidence to report incidents of this nature to police, on the other we now have to increase our efforts to support these victims and to prevent similar crime in the future.

“The challenge for Cumbria Constabulary now is to maintain low rates of crime in a difficult financial climate. We will do everything we can to minimise the affect of budget cuts on frontline policing, and will continue to work closely with local communities to make Cumbria safer.”

Ray Cole, the Chairman of Cumbria Police Authority, the policing ‘watchdog’ for Cumbria, said: “The Police Authority commends the Constabulary’s continued high level of performance over the last twelve months. We welcome the considerable reductions in antisocial behaviour incidents, burglaries and other types of crime, which we know are of great concern to local communities. The Authority supports the Constabulary’s work to encourage people to come forward to report sexual assaults and domestic violence. We have scrutinised this closely over the past year and are satisfied that the right action is being taken to support victims and prevent these crimes in the future.

“In a changing financial climate we face some challenging decisions in order to maintain such a high level of performance.”