Rotherham crime hits a 22-year low
The figures for January to December 2011—as compared with the previous 12 months—showed a reduction in total crime of 1,734 offences across the county, down two per cent to 102,184 crimes.
Violent crime, vehicle crime and fraud offences were significantly down but the force has seen increases in burglaries, thefts and drug offences.
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Hide AdBig rises were reported in metal thefts and shoplifting which the force says were driven by the economic climate.
Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Bob Sanderson said: “We’re still managing to reduce overall crime but the latest results show some individual crime increases, partly driven by the economy.
“For example, metal crimes and shoplifting offences have contributed significantly to rises in theft and burglary. These crimes are force priorities.”
Total violent crime has reduced by 12 per cent, a drop of 2,062 offences to 15,459 when comparing January to December 2011 with the previous 12 months. This crime category includes:
- Violence against the person offences—down 12 per cent to 13,749, a reduction of 1,926 crimes
- Robbery—down eight per cent by 77 offences to 853.
- Sexual offences—down by 59 crimes, a six per cent drop to 857.
- Total vehicle crime is down 11 per cent by 1,483 to 12,533. This includes theft of vehicles, down 408 offences to 2,876, and theft from vehicles, down 948 to 8,492 crimes.
- House burglaries have increased marginally by 60 crimes to 7,447 comparing 2011 with 2010. Other burglaries are up eight per cent by 734 crimes to 9,418. Theft and handling stolen goods offences have increased by ten per cent, a rise of 2,752 to 29,300 crimes.
- Fraud and forgery offences are down by 235, a ten per cent drop to 2,183 crimes. Criminal damage offences have fallen seven per cent, down 1,472 to 19,723 crimes.
- Drug offences are up four per cent by 202 crimes to 5,041.
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