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Crime continues to fall in West Berkshire




Recent figures show that overall crime in the district decreased between April and June compared with last year

POLICE in West Berkshire are managing to sustain a long-term reduction in crime, according to the local police area commander.

Recent figures released by Thames Valley Police show that crime levels were down by seven per cent (206 fewer crimes) between April 1 and June 31 this year, in comparison with the same period last year.

The local police area commander, Supt Robin Rickard, said he was particularly pleased that violence against the person offences (including assaults without injury) had decreased by 35.7 per cent (234 fewer crimes), which he described as a significant reduction for a three month period.

At the same time, the detection rate - the number of people charged or cautioned following arrest - increased across most crime types, including violence against the person, which Supt Rickard attributed to a more focused policing of the night time economy, particularly in Newbury town centre.

However, the number of shoplifting offences increased by 22.8 per cent (56 more crimes) in the three month period and burglaries from dwellings increased by 30.7 per cent (39 more offences), although Supt Rickard said the burglary figures were still lower than in 2009.

He said the recent spike was largely due to a spate of crime in the eastern part of the district in April and May, adding that police had identified the offenders involved and he was confident that through work with local councils and community groups, burglaries would be reduced in the area.

In addition, he said retailers were taking a more robust approach to prevent shoplifting, with better reporting of crimes leading to an increased detection rate, something he said was evident throughout the district.

As a result, Supt Rickard said he was pleased with the overall trend of the figures in West Berkshire.

He said: “We are managing to sustain a long-term reduction in crime and we will continue to try and achieve that.

“Overall, it is a positive picture in keeping West Berkshire the safe place it deserves to be.”



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