Crime rate falling in town

WARRINGTON residents should be feeling a lot safer as rates of crime in the area fell by more than the national figure.
The number of crimes recorded in the county fell by nearly 12 per cent, compared to an overall national reduction of nine per cent.
Deputy Chief Constable of Cheshire Graeme Gerrard (pictured), said: “Making sure the people of Warrington, Cheshire and Halton are safe and feel safe is what policing is all about. Without the efforts of staff, the cooperation of people in our communities and the work of our partners this further reduction in crime would not have been achieved.
“I am particularly pleased to see that people’s homes are safer in Cheshire – we have reduced burglary to an average of 10 a day. We have continued to reduce burglary in Cheshire, exceeding the national reduction figure by 9 per cent. Staff continue to arrest those prolific offenders who bring misery to our communities; offer advice to house holders on how to protect themselves, work with victims to ensure they are not repeatedly targeted and ensure that those who prey on the vulnerable are brought to justice.”
Knife crime in the three areas was also below the national average, which currently stands at 0.41 per thousand head of population, in Cheshire it is 0.22.
The Deputy Chief Constable added: “In Cheshire we want young and old alike to know the danger they put themselves in if they go out onto the streets carrying a knife. Those who carry a knife are more likely to become a victim of knife crime than those who do not carry a blade.
“In Cheshire, there is no evidence to suggest that we have a problem with our young people carrying knives or that we have a culture where gang violence is a problem.
“In fact, the evidence suggests that it is adults up to age of 30, who are using blades and knives to commit offences. In particular they are being used to commit violence against people and business premises. Many of these offences involve people who know each other and occur not on the streets but in the family home.
“We will continue to come down hard on those people who threaten and risk the lives of other people by using knives to commit crime. In particular we will continue to drive down incidents of domestic abuse and robbery, both against a person and against businesses as knives are used in these circumstances.”
Other rates of crimes including burglaries, violence and sexual offences, all fell below the national average.