Police announce 'lowest ever crime figures'

CRIME in Huntingdonshire is at its lowest since the national crime recording standards were introduced in 2002 and more crimes are being solved, police have said. Cambridgeshire police have released figures for central division, which also covers Fenland,

CRIME in Huntingdonshire is at its lowest since the national crime recording standards were introduced in 2002 and more crimes are being solved, police have said.

Cambridgeshire police have released figures for central division, which also covers Fenland, and have declared it to be the safest places to live in the county.

Superintendent Paul Fullwood, deputy divisional commander, said: "Over the past year we have bucked the national trend with reductions in crime and ever-improving success in bringing offenders to justice.

"Nationally crime is going up but in central division we have seen a reduction in crime and more cases being solved."

From April 2008 to April 2009 there were 700 fewer victims of crime than in the same period the previous year. During this period, 29.2 per cent of all crimes reported were solved, the highest percentage ever solved by any of the force's divisions in a single year.

In 2002 there was 22,230 crimes recorded and 3,158 cases were solved. Last year there were 16,144 crimes recorded and 4,773 cases solved.

In the past 12 months 16.5 per cent of all dwelling burglaries were solved compared to 8.1 per cent the previous year.

The division has also seen a 22 per cent reduction in theft from motor vehicles.

Supt Fullwood added: "This has been an excellent year for central division, one of the best for many years and the enthusiasm of the staff has played a key part in this success.