Crime falls for consecutive three-year period - audit

Recorded crime has risen by more than seven per cent nationally over the past three years but a recent crime and disorder audit showed plummeting levels of illegal activity in Derwentside.

Inspector Ian Proud, of Stanley Police Station, said part of the reason was the success of the 14 police community support officers and the developments in closed-circuit television.

Derwentside District Council has cameras in Stanley and Consett town centre and in hotspots across the district.

Insp Proud said: "The crime and disorder partnership has to take credit for the down turn in crime because of some of these initiatives.

"Real crime is falling but it is going to be harder to make more gains because Derwentside is a low crime area."

A report to go to the council next week states burglary has fallen by 34 per cent since April 2002 and violent offences, which make up 16 per cent of all crime, fell by ten per cent. In 2003 there were 1,143 fires started deliberately, which fell last year to 913.

Vehicle crime accounted for 28 cent of offences last year, but has fell by three per cent over the past three years. Thefts from vehicles fell by 30 per cent.

The audit found the number of domestic violence incidents increased by 37 per cent.

Policing priorities for the next three years include tackling burglary and vehicle crime, anti-social behaviour, domestic violence and hate crime, prolific offenders and substance.

Insp Proud, chairman of the anti-social behaviour task force, said 12 Asbos had been issued to people in Stanley and four in Consett.

He said: "We are still getting people ringing in with complaints about youth nuisance and the yob culture.

"Asbos are effective regarding the individuals that are subject to them but there is a balance to be struck between issuing orders and engaging with young people.

"We are doing all sorts to tackle anti-social behaviour but it is important we don't take our eyes off burglaries and car crime."