WILTSHIRE Neighbourhood Policing have announced an increase in crime in Westbury since June 2014 to June 2015.
In a report by Wiltshire police, figures show a slight rise in numbers of criminal damage and arson and also violence against the person. Victim based crime is up by 10% and non domestic burglary is up by almost 30%.
Inspector Chris Hummings said, “At the last area board I was asked if I was able to produce the crime statistics in a league format to see where Westbury sits in relation to other towns within the county.
“I have explored this but due to the many different demographics and economic variants that have impacts on crime, we do not record this and therefore I am unable to provide those statistics.
“As you can see for the above figure, there has been a slight increase in crime within Westbury against the preceding 12 month period. Although the numbers are reasonably low, I appreciate that you may find this alarming and I will be prioritising this as I move forward in my new role.
“For the last 18 months I have been the Sector Insp for Trowbridge and Bradford on Avon, and I have now taken over the responsibility for the Warminster/Westbury sector as well. I am passionate about local policing that is locally delivered by staff that have a geographical responsibility for the area they work in.
“My priorities for policing are simple. I will provide a visible team within the community and respond to the needs of that community. I will do this through a new operational policing pilot that I am incredibly excited to bring to the town.
“My key objectives for this pilot are; community focussed decision making; enhanced local policing; demand reduction; ensure that the policing expertise is as close to the customer as possible; empower the experts to design the end product; seek feedback on how to make it even better.
“I am confident that you will receive an enhanced policing service and I would welcome any feedback directly to me at chris.chammings@wiltshire.pnn.police.uk”
