The report from the Home Office for the year ending September 2012 shows there were 3,455 less crimes during the period under comparison.*
With a crime rate of 46 crimes per 1000 population, this is well below the English national average of 68 crimes per 1000 and makes Norfolk the joint safest county in England.**
Among the highlights include burglary which reduced by 19%, compared to an 8% national reduction. Burglary from a dwelling was down by 22% across the county and there was a drop of 16% for burglary other than a dwelling. Norfolk has the joint lowest rate of burglaries in England *** with only 4 offences per 1000 population.
Criminal damage reduced by 19% to 7,617 offences, compared to a national reduction of 13%, while robbery reduced by 19% to 189 offences. The year to date from 1 April 2012 to 30 November 2012 shows a robbery reduction of 34.1%.
Vehicle crime has reduced by 17% to 2,766 offences compared to a national average of 8%.
All Home Office categories saw reductions in the number of offences in 2011/12 compared to the previous year with the exceptions in violence against the person, drug offences and fraud.
Violence against the person year on year increased by 3% - a rise of 277 offences. Much of this increase is in the category of causing intentional harassment, alarm or distress and represents an increase in the activity by police to tackle violent crime and identify offenders.
Drug offences increased by 9% - a rise of 191 offences. This is classed as a ‘preventative crime’ by the force.Consequently, this rise can again be put down to police action to tackle and disrupt criminal activity to combat drug crime. Fraud and forgery increased by 11% to 768 offences. This category of crime is one of those currently ‘under-reported’ in Norfolk.
Deputy Chief Constable Simon Bailey said: “The Constabulary can rightly feel very proud of these results, alot of hard work has taken place to ensure the Constabulary continues to perform exceptionally well. The county remains a very safe place to live and with our partner agencies, we will continue to deliver a high quality service.”
Norfolk Police and Crime Commissioner Stephen Bett said: “Whilst the figures are somewhat historic, I am pleased to yet again welcome a positive performance by Norfolk Constabulary. I congratulate the Chief Constable and all police personnel on their contribution to making Norfolk a safe county. The challenge for me, is funding them to sufficient a level to maintain that.”
*Comparing 2010/11 to 2011/12 (1 October to 30 September) a reduction of 42,697 crimes to 39,242
**The same as North Yorkshire
*** The same as Cumbria