Overall crime in Gwent has fallen by 11%, according to Home Office figures.
For the 12 months to December 2011, the figures reveal that overall crime was down 11%, as compared to the previous year.
Overall there were 5,134 fewer victims of crime, with notable reductions in key areas such as burglary, robbery, criminal damage, violence against the person, and vehicle crime.
Gwent Police Assistant Chief Constable Simon Prince said: “The figures are once again a ringing endorsement for Gwent Police’s approach to tackling and preventing crime. The success is down to continually reviewing and refining our tactics, working closely with our partners, and listening to the public and addressing their concerns.
“Over the past two years we have made tackling burglary one of our top priorities, and we have again seen a substantial reduction.
“Whilst we have worked hard to target criminals involved in these crimes, I believe that residents are also doing more to improve their own personal security, and are increasingly receptive to crime prevention advice provided by the police and our partners.
“I am again pleased with the progress we are making around criminal damage and vehicle crime. The public continue to make it clear that they want officers and Community Support Officers out on the streets targeting these lower level crimes, and that’s what we are doing.”
Key crime stats
Burglary is down 16% or 1,143 fewer victims
Violence against the person is down 9% or 721 fewer victims
Robbery is down 27% or 56 fewer victims
Vehicle crime is down 23% or 1,481 fewer victims
Criminal damage is down 15% or 1,419 fewer victims
Cilla Davies, Chair of Gwent Police Authority, added: “Once again the figures released by the Home Office reflect the excellent work which is going on in Gwent. The figures are a testament to the commitment and professionalism of Gwent Police officers and staff.
“Gwent Police authority will continue to work closely with the Chief Officer team, and we will challenge them to deliver even more, even though we are operating with a significantly reduced budget.
“The people of Gwent have made it clear that they want a modern and efficient policing service with officers and CSOs highly visible in the community. Whilst this will be challenging I’m confident that it’s achievable.
“The Authority has already demonstrated how we are able to effectively operate in austere times. Her majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary has recognised this work and acknowledged our track record in delivering value for money to the people of Gwent.”
That`s good news then!!!!.
But they continue to fail to produce ` resolution` and ` detection` rates.
The fact is that people find it very difficult to even report crimes, particularly vehicle and criminal damage offences,thefts and anti social behaviour, which itself can have an adverse effect on an entire community, this has a direct effect on these statistics, for instance, phone lines fail to get answered, crimes, once reported, are relegated to none priority status even though they are a priority for the victim, and offences go unrecorded under a `Crime Report Number` and therefore `falls out of the system`, a general malaise is shown to members of the public by Police Staff when they report offences.
Gwent police fail by a mile when it comes to solving Firearms Offences in the Gwent Valleys, for instance this news media reports yet another Gwent firearms crime today in these pages, Once upon a time it was a top priority to solve such offences and bring the perpetrators to justice, now it appears, that that task, is too difficult, and, as a result we have some maniac or maniacs walking the streets of the valley with a loaded shotgun willing to use it at will, and with immunity. These published figures count for very little in the real world. Roll on the election of a Police Commissioner who the citizens of Gwent can vote in and out depending how the Gwent Police Perform in relation to successfully policing our streets.