1,000 fewer crimes in Cambs, according to latest figures

CRIME across Cambridgeshire has dropped resulting in more than 1,000 fewer victims, according to Home Office figures.

CRIME across Cambridgeshire has dropped resulting in more than 1,000 fewer victims, according to Home Office figures.

The 10 per cent fall in Cambridgeshire, which was two per cent ahead of the national average, saw decreases in robbery and dwelling burglaries, although violent crime went up as did sexual offences.

The figures were released amid concern a 16 per cent cut over four years to the police budget could affect frontline policing.

The statistics, for the 12-month period to June this year, show a 10 per cent fall in reported crime compared with the same period the previous year. Offences fell from 65,338 to 58,872, a reduction of 6,465. Incidents of robbery dropped by 16 per cent from 847 to 712 offences, while the dwelling burglary fell by 20 per cent from 4,473 to 3,549.

Vehicle crime including theft of and from vehicles also dropped significantly by 28 per cent, from 8,402 to 6,049 offences.

Violence against the person rose by eight per cent, from 9,970 to 10,711 offences, although more serious offences – violence against the person with injury – dropped by four per cent, from 4,761 to 4,594.

Chief Constable Simon Parr said: “These are encouraging figures, particularly for total crime and those offences that have such a huge impact on victims, like robbery and dwelling burglary.

“We will continue to target those who commit offences while seeking the most cost-effective way to manage the force in coming years.”