11:40am Tuesday 22nd July 2008
PEOPLE in Warrington are less likely to become a victim of crime than residents in other parts of the country, according to a new Home Office report.
The number of crimes recorded in Cheshire has fallen by 11 per cent over the past year – compared to the national figure of nine per cent.
The annual publication Crime in England and Wales 2007/08 includes results from the British Crime Survey and crimes recorded by the police for the 12 months up to March 2008.
Deputy Chief Constable Graeme Gerrard said: “Making sure the people of Warrington are safe and feel safe is what policing is all about.
“Without the efforts of staff, the co operation of people in our communities and the work of our partners, this further reduction in crime would not have been achieved.
“I am particularly pleased to see that people’s homes are safer in Cheshire as we have reduced burglary to an average of 10 a day.”
Cheshire has exceeded national figures in terms of decreasing robbery, burglary, violence, criminal damage and sexual offences.
The report also reveals you are far less likely to become a victim of knife crime in Warrington.
Nationally, the knife crime rate is 0.41 per thousand head of population, whereas in Cheshire it is 0.22.
Dep Chf Con Gerrard said: “In Cheshire, we want young and old alike to know the danger they put themselves in if they go out on to the streets carrying a knife.
“Those who carry a knife are more likely to become a victim of knife crime than those who do not carry a blade.
“In Cheshire, there is no evidence to suggest that we have a problem with our young people carrying knives or that we have a culture where gang violence is a problem.”