Latest North Wales crime figures released

Latest figures show that North Wales Police is succeeding in making the region safer with significant reductions being made in a number of key crimes.

 

Figures for the end of the 2012-13 performance year show that:

 

·         Victim based crime is down 11.6%, with 4,381 fewer victims.

·         Violence with injury is down 7%, with 314 fewer victims.

·         Violence without injury is down 5%, with 217 fewer  victims.

·         Domestic burglary is down 16.2%, with a reduction of 304 victims.

·         Burglary other than dwelling is down 14.3%, with a reduction of 502 victims.

·         Robbery is down 8.8%, with 14 less victims.

·         Vehicle theft is down 17.3%, a reduction of 123 victims.

·         Anti Social Behaviour (ASB) is down 11.6%, a reduction of 3,550 incidents.

 

Assistant Chief Constable Gareth Pritchard said: "The year was a challenging one, with many serious incidents for the force to contend with, which makes these successes even more significant.  

I am grateful for all the hard work, commitment and application teams have put in to reducing crime and ASB, their efforts have made a real contribution to making North Wales safer. Everyone has contributed, it has been a real team effort from all operational areas and support departments."

 

On a national level North Wales has comparatively low levels of crime in terms of robbery, other theft and vehicle crime. But there are however high levels of crime in terms of violence against the person and there has been an increase in sexual offences, with rape up 27.9%.

 

ACC Pritchard added: "We recognise that there is still work to be done to reduce violent crimes and sexual offences and there are a number of initiatives underway across the Force to address this. For example, we will shortly have a dedicated rape and sexual assault team who will ensure that victims have a high standard of care and that investigations are thorough and detailed. Many of these crimes are historical in nature and it is good that victims have the confidence to report these serious offences."

 

The force says it will continue to work towards reducing violent crime across North Wales, focusing on all types of violence including domestic abuse and alcohol related violence.

 

The figures also suggest that preventative strategies and awareness raising campaigns are contributing towards changing attitudes and behaviour.

 

Calls into the force's control room were down 10% (55,165) and there were 289 fewer people injured in road traffic collisions.