Figures Reveal Wiltshire Has Lowest Crime Rates In the Country

Wiltshire has one of the lowest crime rates in the country says figures released yesterday.

The county has the 6th lowest crime rate in England for every 1,000 people and remains one of the safest counties in the country. 

Acting Assistant Chief Constable, Mike Veale, said: “The latest year-on-year crime figures show a welcome decrease in reported crime in Swindon and Wiltshire and I am particularly pleased with the above average decreases in robbery and criminal damage, two of the most anti-social categories of crime.”

There were 2,706 fewer crimes in Wiltshire and Swindon between April 2009 and March 2010 according to the Home Office statistics, with all recorded crime falling by seven per cent. 

It is the second successive year that crime across the Wiltshire Police area has fallen by seven per cent. This year’s fall is consistent with the overall eight per cent decrease in crime nationally. 

While the latest number of all crimes recorded in Wiltshire and Swindon fell to 38,671, there was a 21% rise in sex offences. However, Serious Sexual Offences saw a detection rate of 34% compared to a 28% average across the group of forces most similar to Wiltshire. 

Additionally, national promotional activity urging women to report sex crimes have played a part in the increase in this area. Wiltshire Police reinforce the message that any form of sexual crime is unacceptable and specially trained officers will deal sympathetically with all victims. Witness care officers are also available to help and support through any subsequent court proceedings.  

Crimes of violence against the person went up by two per cent. Wiltshire Police’s continued focus on tackling violent crime is seeing an improved detection rate against our most similar group of forces. Serious Violent Crime saw a detection rate of 69%, compared to a most similar force average of 55%. 

In other crime areas, the number of burglaries recorded in offices, businesses, sheds and garages (not connected to homes) remained static, but there was a noticeable reduction in offences of robbery, down by 25%; criminal damage, falling by 17% and offences relating to motor vehicle crime reducing by 14%.  Domestic burglaries increased by 311 offences, equating to less than one offence per day. Specific initiatives have started to improve that situation and since 1st April 2010 reported domestic burglaries have reduced by nearly 19% on the previous year.

The Chairman of Wiltshire Police Authority, Chris Hoare, commented: “Two of the top priorities for Wiltshire Police this year are to tackle violent crime and deal with local issues of crime and anti-social behaviour. We expect equal success but we recognise this will have to be achieved with less resource available, given the challenging financial environment.”