April 18, 2013 3.20 pm This story is over 130 months old

Lincolnshire crime rate drops 14%

Safer county: The crime rate in Lincolnshire has dropped 14.2% over the past year, with fewer burglaries, violent crimes, thefts and sexual offences recorded.

The crime rate in Lincolnshire has dropped 14.2% over the past year, with fewer burglaries, violent crimes, thefts and sexual offences recorded.

New figures released by the office of the Lincolnshire Police and Crime Commissioner Alan Hardwick show 6,250 fewer crimes were recorded across the county in the period between April 2012 to March 2013 compared to same period last year.

In February 2013, Lincolnshire was nationally ranked 14th out of 43 forces, an improvement from 21st position in February 2012.

Lincolnshire Police Chief Constable Neil Rhodes and PCC Alan Hardwick were in Saxilby near Lincoln on Thursday to announce the figures, which will also become available through the crime mapper website Police.uk for a detailed local breakdown.

Lincolnshire Police Chief Constable Neil Rhodes. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Lincolnshire Police Chief Constable Neil Rhodes. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Chief Constable Neil Rhodes said: “Alan Hardwick and I both have a shared mission to make sure Lincolnshire has the very best policing that it can, and we’re getting on with that job well together.

“I think what’s important now is that the story turns away from the personalities involved to the policing of the county — and what a good start today, with some really top crime figures.

“The most important thing is that there are more than 6,000 fewer victims in this community. That’s a tremendous achievement, and that’s down to the hard work of the operational officers of this force.

“Dwelling burglaries have been reducing year on year for quite some time now, and it’s really heartening to see the figures come down still. We’ve seen around 60 fewer sexual offences in this county, and that’s got to be really worthwhile.

“One of the advantages of working with G4S has been a service called Street to Suite, where offenders are actually transported back from the street at the busiest time of the week to the custody suites. That frees up operational officers to remain on the beat, and continue with their enquiries, so that’s been a real plus.

“We’ve got a real drive on the sort of crimes that affect people’s quality of life. I think what’s really significant to pick out of those is the large reductions in anti-social behaviour and criminal damage, which is down by a quarter – and that’s a massive amount. That does make a real improvement to the quality of life in this community,” Chief Constable Rhodes added.

Lincolnshire Police and Crime Commissioner Alan Hardwick. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Lincolnshire Police and Crime Commissioner Alan Hardwick. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Lincolnshire PCC Alan Hardwick said: “Six thousand plus fewer crimes means six thousand plus fewer victims, but importantly since victims are at the centre on my policing plan.

“I have to say the number of fewer victims is higher than that – one crime very rarely affects just one person, it can affect a family or an entire neighbourhood. I think the figures are more positive than it would first appear on paper.

“I’m proud of all categories where there’s been a reduction in crime, because these figures show without a shadow of doubt that the Lincolnshire force and staff are second to none.

“They are professional, they have a feel for the county and the communities they serve, and they know what is good for Lincolnshire. They are dedicated to the extreme, and I’m very proud of them.

“I’ve said for long enough that here in Lincolnshire, because of the unfair funding that we get from the Government, we’ve learnt how to make every penny count; squeeze the last drop of value out of every penny. The figures show it is continuing to be successful.

“G4S are continuing to save us money. If our balance sheet is healthier, and if the jobs on the front line and elsewhere are protected, then that can only be a good thing for Lincolnshire.”

Chief Constable Neil Rhodes for the first time appearing in public along PCC Alan Hardwick after his suspension was quashed. Pictured along with Inspector Simon Outen on a patrol walk in Saxilby. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Chief Constable Neil Rhodes for the first time appearing in public along PCC Alan Hardwick after his suspension was quashed. Pictured along with Inspector Simon Outen on a patrol walk in Saxilby. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Police performance report key stats

Violence against the person crimes are down 7.5% with 567 fewer crimes. This includes common assault, assault with injury, harassment, wounding, death by driving, manslaughter and murder.

Burglary dwelling offences are down 4.3% with 94 fewer crimes in the period April 2012 to March 2013 compared to same period last year. The force has continued to make reductions in burglary dwelling crimes over the past few years, reporting a 10.3% reduction (250 fewer crimes) in 2012/13 compared to 2005/6.

[button url=”https://thelincolnite.co.uk/ybnsu” title=”How they caught him: Six years jail for local burglar”]How they caught him: Six years jail for prolific burglar[/button]

Serious sexual offences are down 12.3% with 60 fewer crimes,  and this is an area that the force has focussed on through the No Means No campaign.

[button url=”https://thelincolnite.co.uk/ftoch” title=”How they caught him: Stranger rape in Lincoln”]How they caught him: Stranger rape in Lincoln[/button]

  • Theft from motor vehicle crimes are down 3.7% with 104 fewer crimes
  • Theft of motor vehicles crimes are down 19.2% with 150 fewer crimes
  • Criminal damage crimes are down 25.1% with 2,043 fewer crimes
  • Incidents that cause fear and concern are down 16.5% with 1,606 fewer incidents
  • Other anti-social behaviour incidents are down 15.9% with 3,478 fewer incidents