Crime in Notts at lowest since 1981
It was the year that Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer married, MTV first aired, the average house price was £24,188 and crime in Nottinghamshire was under 89,000 offences.
Now validated statistics for the last financial year show that Nottinghamshire Police has recorded its lowest crime figures since 1981.
The force has achieved another 14.2% reduction in crime, compared to the previous year, down 13,990 crimes. While in 1981, the force recorded 88,927 offences, this year there has been 84,329 offences.
Offences of burglary, robbery, criminal damage, vehicle crime, and violence have also dropped dramatically throughout 2010/11.
A 26.2% reduction in burglary means 2,065 fewer people have been victims. While there has been 2,463 fewer vehicle crimes (- 23.1%), 4,377 fewer offences of criminal damage (- 21.9%, a reduction of 473 robbery offences (-24.5%) and reductions of 235 most serious violence offences (- 27.7%) and 3,142 fewer victims of assault with less serious injury (- 29.4%).
In addition to crime reductions, the force has also seen an increase in the number of crimes detected, which means more criminals are being arrested and put before the court.
Assistant Chief Constable Paul Broadbent, said: “These results show there are ultimately almost 14,000 fewer people who have been victims of crime. We are proud of what we have achieved over the last 12 months, and having the lowest recorded crime figures for 30 years is testament to the hard work of all our officers and staff.
“I recognise that there are significant challenges ahead, with savings of more than £40m required over the next four years, but we are determined to protect front line services to continue to lock up criminals and keep the public safe.
"We have seen some of the largest reductions in burglary, violence against the person offences and criminal damage nationally, and we are noticeably reducing crime more quickly than other forces.
"We are not complacent and we maintain it is our ambition to be the best force in the country by 2015. We need to build on the significant reductions achieved this year and continue to serve the public to the highest standard possible.”
Kevin Dennis, Chief Executive of Nottinghamshire Police Authority, added: “These figures illustrate the huge amount of work that has been undertaken in order to drive down crime in Nottinghamshire over the last 12 months.
"We are aware that the extremely challenging targets the police authority set for the year have, in the main, just been missed, which is disappointing but these figures remain undeniably impressive.
“We are confident that there is a great deal more that can be achieved, despite the funding challenges that are facing the force and this year will see no let up in the authority’s work to help the force build on the improvements to date and make Nottinghamshire an even safer place to live, work or visit.”
Since April 1, the force has gone from four to two divisions. However, all four divisional areas saw crime fall.
Bassetlaw, Newark and Sherwood (B division) reduced crime by 19.3% (14,093) Mansfield and Ashfield (A division) saw a drop of 4,152 offences, down 19.6%, the city’s crime fell by 3,954 offences (9.8%) and South Notts (D division) recorded a 12.9% reduction – 2,512 fewer crimes.
