The release of crime statistics last week show that recorded crime has risen by nearly two and a half per cent in Wiltshire in comparison to an increase of four and a half per cent across England and Wales. The latest national and local crime figures up to June 2015 were released by The Office for National Statistics (ONS).
This is the first increase in recorded crime, when compared to the previous year, for some time and is a reflection of the efforts made by police forces to improve crime recording consistency. It is also believed that victims have increased confidence in reporting sexual offences.
Of the 43 police forces in England and Wales, 34 are also showing an increase in recorded crime.
The ONS statistics relate to the 12 months from May 2014 to June 2015 compared to the same period in 2013-14. The increase of 2.4 per cent equates to 768 crimes with an overall total of 33,397 crimes recorded.
Wiltshire Police statisticians predict further increases in the future as we begin to see the improvements in crime recording reflected in the figures. Sex offences and violence have already been increasing over the last year.
Wiltshire Police have made significant changes to their crime recording processes and recently were giving a good rating by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC). Wiltshire’s figures are in line with those of forces with a similar demographic profile.
The figures show that Wiltshire remains the fourth lowest force for volume crime per 1,000 people.
In Wiltshire there has been a 20.4 per cent fall in vehicle crime, a reduction of 588 offences. Theft offences are down by 4.7 per cent with 736 fewer incidents recorded. Drug offences are down by 21.6 per cent with 355 fewer offences.
Recorded sex offences have increased by 37 per cent in the year under review. This represents an increase of 314 recorded offences.
Violence with injury has seen a 10.6 per cent increase, with offences increasing by 419 incidents. Violence without injury (which includes harassment) rose by 30.4 per cent (3,150 offences up to 4,108). This reflects the national trend across England and Wales.
There has been no increase in the year under review in emergency calls in response to violent incidents. Therefore the increase is thought to be due in part to changes in Home Office crime counting rules and closer partnership working through the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub.
The Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon Angus Macpherson said, “One of the key priorities in my new Police and Crime Plan is to put victims and witnesses at the heart of everything we do. And we have to be very aware that, behind these government statistics, are real people living in our communities.
“Even a modest increase in reported crime reminds us that we cannot be complacent. The public can be assured that I will be looking closely at the figures with the Chief Constable and our statisticians to ensure that we have a good understanding of what lies behind the increase.
“We have been continuing our efforts to encourage victims of crime to report the offence to Wiltshire Police, and I have commissioned Horizon Victim and Witness Care to ensure that victims and witnesses receive the best possible support on their journey through the criminal justice process.
“I have also been looking at a separate set of figures from the ONS today, which estimate the number of online fraud offences. I am concerned that these are on the increase. Everybody needs to be alert to the risk of online fraud. I receive regular reports on such crimes where the victim is a Wiltshire resident and I can say that many of these scams are extremely convincing. People of all ages can fall victim to these online fraudsters.”
Chief Constable Mike Veale said, “Although this is the first increase in recorded crime we have seen for some time, I remain confident that this reflects the improvement in recording practices. The force has been working hard over the last two years to make these improvements and we are keeping a close eye on the statistics and how these improvements are reflected.
“In order to make sure we have the right resources in the right place at the right time, the analysis of the crime data is essential to understand where we need to focus our attention. I am committed to continuing this work and improving our crime recording.
“Sexual offences and violence are areas that we need to continue to scrutinise. Whilst we believe that victims feel more confident reporting crime, we must remain vigilant. Wiltshire remains one of the safest counties in the country and, in line with the Commissioner’s plan, we shall continue to put victims and witnesses at the heart of everything we do.”
