Crime In North Wales Falls By 3%

Figures today released by North Wales Police suggest that crime across the region has fallen slightly in the past 12 months.

The figures released show a 3.0% reduction in reported crime (excluding fraud) across North Wales between April 2013 and March 2014. In total there have been 1096 less crimes in the past year.

A full breakdown of today’s figures can be found listed below:

· All Crime (excluding Fraud) down 3.0%, with 1096 fewer crimes

· Violence with injury down 4.6%, with 182 fewer crimes

· Burglary other than dwelling down 4.0%, with 115 fewer crimes

· Robbery down 10.3%, with 13 fewer crimes

· Vehicle crime down 8.5%, with 201 fewer crimes

· Other acquisitive crime down 5.8%, with 276 fewer crimes

· Criminal Damage and Arson down 7.7%, with 533 fewer crimes

· Sexual Offences up 8.4%, with 70 more crimes

· Shoplifting up 9.3%, with 337 more crimes

· Burglaries in Dwellings up 5.5%, with 87 more crimes

· Violence without Injury up 4.8%, with 198 more crimes

· Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) down 4.7%, with 1,276 fewer incidents. North Wales are 4th lowest nationally for those experiencing/witnessing ASB.

On a national level North Wales has comparatively low levels of crime in terms of robbery, other theft and vehicle crime. But there has been an increase in some crimes with sexual offences up 8.4% (70 more crimes); shoplifting is up 9.3% (337 more crimes) and has continued to rise since April 2014; burglaries in dwellings up 5.5% (87 more crimes) and violence without injury up 4.8% (198 more crimes).

The increase in sex crimes is is believed to be down to the reporting of recent high profile sexual offence cases, which has led to a nationwide increase in the number of people having the confidence to come forward and report sexual abuse.

Speaking about the figures, Assistant Chief Constable Richard Debicki said: “ACC Debicki said: “Whilst these crime reductions are positive with overall crime heading in the right direction, we will never be complacent. We recognise that there is still work to be done and tackling violence of any kind is a priority. There are also a number of initiatives under way across the Force to address shoplifting and burglaries.

“The support of the public is important in helping us to reduce overall crime in communities. We are continuously working to engage with communities and encourage people to share information which could lead to crime reduction. With local communities and our partners we continue to strive to make North Wales an even safer place.”