We're starting to win war on crime, say police

Police say the drop in overall reported crime represents 177 fewer victims for the period from April to December 2002 compared to 2001.

Seahaven neighbourhood police Inspector Mark Huff said: 'Fewer victims of crime has to be seen as a tremendous success in the Seahaven area. But I'm not complacent. More work is still to be done in certain areas to ensure this trend remains on a downward spiral.'

The full crime breakdown is:

Decreases

Non-domestic burglary, six

per cent.

Theft from vehicles, five per

cent.

Shoplifting, 67 per cent.

Violence in public places, 15

per cent.

Criminal damage, 25 per

cent.

Increases

Drug offences, 18 per cent.

Theft of vehicles 16 per cent.

Domestic burglary 28 per cent.

Insp Huff said burglaries were on the decline due to a number of arrests. High visibility patrols combined with those in unmarked vehicles were combating car crime.

Drug crime increases were the result of the active targeting of users and dealers. The inspector said: 'An 18 per cent increase in drug offences means that we are detecting and taking more illegal substances off the streets. So far this year, my team have executed 55 drugs warrants in the neighbourhood policing area.'

He added: 'Low criminal damage is a good indication that anti-social behaviour, which often has a detrimental affect on residents and the fear of crime, is equally falling.

'The message is clear to the public and criminals. We're doing all we can to reduce crime. More is to be done but we're really starting to make a difference.'