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Crime falls in Bedfordshire
Latest figures from Beds Police Authority
Crime figures are only falling in Bedfordshire "because last time it was so bad," it was claimed this week.
In a report to Bedford Borough Council last Wednesday (July 14) Bedfordshire Police Authority laid out it's annual review of performance up to March 31, 2010.
The figures showed that robberies were down by 30 per cent over the year compared to 12 months earlier, domestic burglary was down 16 per cent, and other burglary was down 14 per cent.
Thefts from motor vehicles were down 19 per cent, theft of a motor vehicle by 26 per cent, and criminal damage was down eight per cent in Bedfordshire as a whole.
But Councillor Will Hunt, portfolio holder for community safety at Borough Hall, claimed that the figures might not represent the actual number of crimes committed in Bedfordshire.
Speaking to the Times & Citizen this week, he said: "It looks good but we have to look at the bigger picture.
"Crime figures are a funny thing and we get updates every month or so.
"These figures only look good because last time it was so bad."
"There are a group of house burglars about and until they get put away the figures will always be bad."
He added: "The police seem to have more people drawing graphs than they do feeling collars."
The figures also showed that violence against the person had increased by six per cent, meaning there were 399 such incidents.
Trevor Moisey, chairman of the Alexandra and Brereton Residents' Association, said that residents should continue to remain vigilant to avoid being the victims of crime.
He said: "We have received these figures with caution as they do not take into account the amount of crimes that take place that are not reported.
"People could still be the victims of crime but the police would not get to know about it.
"As a residents' association we are still going to be vigilant."
For Bedford and central Bedfordshire the police authority has set targets for tackling serious acquisitive crime including burglary, robbery and vehicle crime.
There are also targets addressing re-offending rates, reducing the number of repeat incidents of domestic abuse and increasing the number of drug users in effective treatment.
It was found that detection levels had fallen slightly over the year and an overall rate of 26.5 per cent of crimes were detected, which fell short of the authority's target of 26 per cent.
The report stated: "Disappointingly detections in priority areas for the authority, such as vehicle crime, robbery and criminal damage had not met the targets set for the year.
"Members have asked for urgent action to increase the number of crimes detected.
"Overall this year's performance has seen significant strides in the right direction and focus for the forthcoming year will be to reduce violent crime and increase detection."
Do you think enough is being done to tackle crime in your area? Send your views to editorial@timesandcitizen.co.uk
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Friday 25 May 2012
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