Crime stats a credit to officers and staff

Against a 9 per cent national increase in reported crime in the last 12 months a reduction of 4 per cent in Devon and Cornwall is testimony to the hard work and dedication of police officers and staff.

Our new Police and Crime Plan has two areas of focus, keeping people safe and getting the best out of the police – these figures show much is already happening to achieve these aims.

Devon and Cornwall Police is one of just two forces in England and Wales to have reported a reduction in crime in this period.

We know that low rates of theft, domestic burglary and car crime are really important to those who live in our communities.

But an increasing amount of police work relates to unseen crime such as investigation of child sexual exploitation, domestic abuse, cyber crime and other sexual offences.

The search for missing people, for example, is a huge cost in terms of money and time, on the police service.

The commissioner sees the increase in sexual offences as a positive trend but she will continue to challenge the police to ensure that victims receive a high standard of support.

She is particularly interested in developments relating to the estimated 5.8 million offences of fraud and computer misuse.

ONS plans to publish a full year’s data in January next year but this early estimation provides an indication of the scale of the threat from such offences.”

Find out more about the PCC’s consultation into the Police and Crime Plan and take part here http://www.devonandcornwall-pcc.gov.uk/about-us/police-and-crime-plan-consultation/