Carolyn Keene reports:   The latest annual performance figures from the British Crime Survey reflect the Isle of Wight as being one of the safest places in the country.

The results from the survey, which measures public satisfaction, show overall crime is down 8.8 per cent by more than 15,000 offences, while detection rates are up across the board. 

The survey also rates Hampshire Constabulary as third nationally and top among its group of most similar forces (MSF), for the number of people who think their local police are doing a good job.

When comparing the force’s annual performance figures for 2007/2008 with 2006/2007:

Overall crime is down 15,954 offences to 164,940
Violent crime is down 2,007 offences to 42,422
House burglaries are down 151 offences to 5,300
Vehicle crime is down 4,034 offences to 17,781
Overall detection rates are up from 21.6 per cent to 26.5 per cent
Violent crime detection rates are up from 42.3 per cent to 44.9 per cent
House burglary detection rates are up from 18.1 per cent to 18.9 per cent
Vehicle crime detection rates are up from 8.0 per cent to 8.1 per cent
 
Compared with its MSF, Hampshire Constabulary has:

*the lowest number of house burglaries for a second year running
*the second highest level of detecting house burglaries
*the lowest number of vehicle crimes
 
The past 12 months has seen the force roll out Safer Neighbourhoods, with every neighbourhood in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight now having its own locally accountable police team.  These teams work with communities and partners to develop long term solutions to the issues that communities tell them are important.

This year the constabulary’s specialist units that tackle the most serious crime, including Serious and Organised Crime, Child Abuse Investigation and Special Branch, dealt with a total of 1,246 incidents and achieved a detection rate of 57.2 per cent.  Operations were executed across the two counties to disrupt and dismantle more than 30 of the most serious organised crime groups involved in offences such as drug supply, kidnap, money laundering and identity theft.

Commenting on the figures, Chief Constable Paul Kernaghan said: 

“The constabulary’s achievements in both reducing crime and increasing our detection rates speak volumes for the commitment and professionalism of all my officers and staff and the partner agencies with whom we collaborate. I am particularly pleased with the results from the independent British Crime Survey, which provide evidence that our achievements and commitment are recognised by the communities we serve. 

The successful delivery of accessible and accountable Safer Neighbourhoods teams has undoubtedly contributed to the development of neighbourhoods where people are safe and feel safe.

“Statistics alone can never convey the full reality of policing, just as examination results can never fully reflect the ethos and success of schools. However, statistics do provide an objective overview of force performance and help the public to put our achievements into context.”

Councillor Jacqui Rayment, Chair of Hampshire Police Authority, said:

“We have just completed a very successful year for Hampshire Constabulary in performance terms and are particularly pleased at the improvement in detections. Independent surveys tell us that Hampshire and Isle of Wight citizens feel safer and have more confidence in the police than in most of the country.

“As a police authority we are not complacent about these results, and in the coming year have asked the constabulary to pay particular attention to a few areas where we can improve still further. These are highlighted in the recently published Policing Plan.

“However, now is a time to say thank you to all the officers and staff of Hampshire Constabulary for all their considerable efforts, and to our colleagues in Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships and other partnerships for their support in making Hampshire a safer place.”

Isle of Wight Community News @Island Pulse.

: Thursday : April 10th, 2008 at 8:38 am.