HERTS: County delight at latest crime figures

9:20am Friday 18th July 2008

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OVERALL recorded crime fell further in Hertfordshire than nationally compared with the previous year latest figures show.

For the 12-month period between April last year and March this year overall recorded crime in the county fell by 12 per cent, violent crime by 21 per cent and robbery by 23 per cent.

The county’s overall crime detection rate rose to 30 per cent compared to the national average of 28 per cent.

Hertfordshire Police Authority chairman Yasmin Batliwala said: “These are very encouraging figures, particularly as they build on falling crime figures over a number of years.

“Overall crime, violent crime, robbery and sexual offences have seen significant drops compared to the national figures, confirming the fact that Hertfordshire continues to be one of the safest counties in the country.”

Chief Constable Frank Whiteley said: “These figures mean there are fewer victims of crime in the county and that criminals are more likely than ever before to be caught and punished for the crimes they commit.

“The results reflect the excellent work being carried out by the officers and staff of Hertfordshire Constabulary alongside our local partners.

“Hertfordshire is a safe county in which overall crime is continuing to fall.”

However while overall burglary fell by two per cent dwelling burglaries, after falling to their lowest ever level in 2006-07, rose by 5.6 per cent in 2007-08.