9/5/2008

Local News in Fleet

Robbery and drug crime rise

Robbery and drug offences have shot up in Hart but overall crime across the district is falling fast, latest figures reveal.

Robbery has increased by 16% and drug offences have shot up by a massive 116% over the last year.

Police put the dramatic rise in drug offences down to a proactive approach to the problem.

Overall, there were 406 less crimes reported between April 2007 and April 2008 — an 8% reduction on the previous year.

Violent crime has fallen by 2%, dwelling burglary is down by 6%, theft of motor vehicles down 15%, theft from motor vehicles down 9% and criminal damage fell by 13% in a district that covers around 83 square miles and has a population of more than 88,000 people.

Chief Insp Norman Mellors said: “The increase in drug offences shows that our proactive approach to the problem is working. In the last year community intelligence about suspicious activity has provided our tasking team with the evidence to obtain 25 search warrants.

“Additionally, four drug offenders have been evicted from their homes in our area using crack house closure legislation.”

Two drug dens in Woodlands, Fleet, were among those closed.

Chief Insp Mellors added: “After two years in this post I believe that the police and community safety teams locally need to work very closely with the community to make life more difficult for criminals and reduce anti-social behaviour and crime.

“I believe the reductions have been achieved where strong links exist between residents, community leaders, statutory partners and comm-unity safety professionals.

“I know that if you have been a victim of crime in the last year it is of little consolation to know that you live in the safest area in Hampshire. But by working together to prevent crime, report suspicions and support community safety initiatives I am convinced crime and disorder can be reduced further.”

Chief Insp Mellors pointed out that in April 2007, Hart district was the safest in the county and during the last year the area has become even safer.

He added: “If we are to maintain this trend the active co-operation and support between the police, Com-munity Safety Partnership and residents is essential.”

A breakdown of crime statistics for the year to April 2008 shows there were 886 reports of violent crime in the district, down by 36 over the previous year.

There were 204 reported house burglaries (down by 40), 130 reports of theft of motor vehicles, (down by 23), and 507 reports of theft from motor vehicles (down by 52).

There were 1,036 reports of criminal damage (down 155), 14 robberies (up two), and 216 drug offences (up 116).

Total crime reports were down by 406 to 4,601.

All political groups on Hart District Council have welcomed the figures.

Liberal Democrat council leader David Neighbour said: “We congratulate the police on a job well done but the important thing is not to be complacent. The district council works well in helping combat crime with its CCTV cameras and we have put an extra community warden in the budget so there can be a better presence.”

Cllr Neighbour said the Churches Together outreach project in Fleet town centre has proved a great success and the CREW (Crime Reduction and Environment Week) events held across the district are going well.

He added: “However, we know that occasionally we do get crime hotspots in the district, for instance in Hook and also Fleet town centre, where there are still incidents of antisocial behaviour. We still need to be vigilant.”

James Radley, leader of the Community Campaign Hart, said: “Obviously it’s very pleasing to hear that crime is falling.

“However, if you are a victim of crime it is still extremely unpleasant. We should not be complacent and it is something we want to keep an eye on.

“However, credit should be given to the police and the Hart Community Safety Partnership for all the good work they have done in bringing about this fall in crime.

“It’s very encouraging and let’s hope this downward trend continues because at the end of the day any crime is one too many.”

Stephen Parker, Tory shadow spokesman for the environment, said: “The police have been working very hard to try and get some kind of handle on crime in Hart and should be commended for that.”

However, Cllr Parker said there were still some areas of the district where crime was a problem.

He added: “That’s why it was difficult for us to understand why the present adminis-tration decided to de-prioritise community safety in the council’s corporate plan.

“We need to make sure we continue to be tough on crime and community safety, otherwise we will still have the same problems.”

First printed in: Fleet News and Mail