Warwickshire News Mine

The Partnership, made up of representatives from a range of Warwickshire agencies, has received its annual crime review which showed crime levels have dropped significantly across a number of areas. This sharp reduction in incidents is attributed to new initiatives – such as the violent crime reduction project - launched by partners over the past year.

In the year to August 2009 fewer incidents of violence, vehicle crime and criminal damage have been recorded, the number of crimes committed by young people has gone down and the county has been successful in exceeding targets for getting drug users into effective treatment.

According to annual crime figures released in July, Warwickshire Police has achieved the biggest reduction in violence of all forces in England and Wales with violent offences down by 21 per cent. They have also recorded a 20.5 reduction in cases of aggravated burglary and robbery over the last year.

Talking about these figures Deputy Chief Constable Andy Parker from Warwickshire Police said: "I am extremely pleased with the force’s performance. It is always very pleasing to know the efforts of all our officers, staff and volunteers, working together with our partners, are resulting in better protection for people in Warwickshire.

"I welcome these latest statistics which demonstrate that Warwickshire is a safe place to live and a place where every effort is being made to protect communities from harm."

More positive outcomes were reported by the county council’s Youth Offending Service.  Through work with partners on a number of projects, the service has achieved a reduction in the volume of crime being committed by young people. A 36 per cent reduction in offences of violence, and a 31 per cent reduction in criminal damage have been recorded and this year has also seen less young people than ever entering the youth justice system.

The county’s Drug and Alcohol Action Team have been instrumental in ensuring that Warwickshire continues to perform well in relation to drug treatment targets. National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse figures published in August reveal that the service exceeded targets for getting drug users into effective treatment this year - 1111 people engaged with support services for a minimum of 12 weeks, 58 above the team’s target of 1053. The service has also performed well against waiting time targets.

Warwickshire County Councillor Richard Hobbs, Portfolio Holder for Community Protection and Chair of Warwickshire Safer Communities Partnership said: “These latest figures provide hard evidence that our crime-busting partnership approach is working. It is clear that the streets are becoming much safer through proactive community-focused initiatives.

“But we must not get complacent and officers will continue to strive to match this excellent set of results.”

The Safer Communities Partnership includes membership from Warwickshire County Council, Warwickshire Police, the district and borough councils, NHS Warwickshire, Warwickshire Probation, and the Crown Prosecution Service.  Each represented agency is committed to protecting communities by fighting crime, providing treatment and support services and issuing relevant safety information to residents.

For more information please visit http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/communitysafety.

Link to WCC