Town crime figures show marked fall in most areas
Monday, 21st May 2012.
For the second week running there have been no domestic burglaries at all in Haverhill, and crime in general is showing another marked fall in most categories.
Since April 1 incidence of crime is 15 per cent down on the three-year average for the period, with 251 incidents compared with the average 295.
Anti-social behaviour is down a massive 41 per cent on the three-year average for the period, with just 171 incidents compared with the average 289.
Haverhill's police chief, Insp Peter Ferrie said this was very pleasing and down to a new tasking system, closer work with partners and the work of the Safer Neighbourhood Team in the town.
"It's down to the focus Haverhill SNT puts onto sorting ASB out," he said. "Now we treat it just as seriously as any other incident."
Domestic burglar is down 22 per cent, other burglaries down 50 per cent and criminal damage and arson down 38 per cent.
In total, victim-based crime is down 19 per cent, although some areas have increased. For instance, vehicle crime is up 27 per cent and public order offences have doubled from 11 to 22.
"I'm not too worried about the public order offence increase," Insp Ferrie said, "because it reflects the fact that we are being much more robust in the way we are dealing with it."
He said it was also easier for police to be on hand to deal with it at the moment because most people were flocking to one licensed premises - Bar Vu - which meant police could concentrate their attention there rather than being stretched the length of the high street in responding to any incident.
Insp Ferrie also welcomed the recent jailing of 29-year-old Lee Holland for seven years for aggravated burglary, saying it made the town safer.
"I am really pleased for the people of Haverhill that this violent, nasty criminal is off the streets and no longer able to prey on people in the town," he said.
"The burglary rate has fallen strongly since he has been remanded in custody and people can feel safer in their homes now he is back in prison."
Since April 1 incidence of crime is 15 per cent down on the three-year average for the period, with 251 incidents compared with the average 295.
Anti-social behaviour is down a massive 41 per cent on the three-year average for the period, with just 171 incidents compared with the average 289.
Haverhill's police chief, Insp Peter Ferrie said this was very pleasing and down to a new tasking system, closer work with partners and the work of the Safer Neighbourhood Team in the town.
"It's down to the focus Haverhill SNT puts onto sorting ASB out," he said. "Now we treat it just as seriously as any other incident."
Domestic burglar is down 22 per cent, other burglaries down 50 per cent and criminal damage and arson down 38 per cent.
In total, victim-based crime is down 19 per cent, although some areas have increased. For instance, vehicle crime is up 27 per cent and public order offences have doubled from 11 to 22.
"I'm not too worried about the public order offence increase," Insp Ferrie said, "because it reflects the fact that we are being much more robust in the way we are dealing with it."
He said it was also easier for police to be on hand to deal with it at the moment because most people were flocking to one licensed premises - Bar Vu - which meant police could concentrate their attention there rather than being stretched the length of the high street in responding to any incident.
Insp Ferrie also welcomed the recent jailing of 29-year-old Lee Holland for seven years for aggravated burglary, saying it made the town safer.
"I am really pleased for the people of Haverhill that this violent, nasty criminal is off the streets and no longer able to prey on people in the town," he said.
"The burglary rate has fallen strongly since he has been remanded in custody and people can feel safer in their homes now he is back in prison."
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