CRIME FIGURES FALL IN LARNE AREA
The Police have announced that crime in the Larne Area has dropped by 19.6% since the introduction six months ago of H District which incorporates Ballymena, Coleraine, Ballymoney, Moyle and Larne.
Commenting on the six monthly figures, Chief Inspector Nigel Goddard, The Police Service of Northern Ireland's Area Commander for Larne Said, "We continue to work hard to reduce the level of all crimes that occur in Larne. Not only has crime dropped by 19.6%, violent crime is also down by 27%. This is undoubtedly good news for everyone who lives works and socialises in the Larne area. I am delighted to report that overall, there have been 175 fewer victims of crime when compared to the same period last year and this should also help to reduce the fear of crime."
Criminal Damage has been reduced by 77 offences, Assaults by 72 offences, Theft by 48 offences, Fraud & Forgery by 19 offences, Robbery by 1 offence, while Sexual Offences are down 3 on the same period last year.
While the statistics show a marked reduction, there were areas where there is still more work to be done. The level of burglary, offences against the state and other notifiable offences increased.
Chief Inspector Goddard said, "It is disappointing to record any increases in crime and particular in burglary. Burglary is however an issue that every resident can help to address and we would urge people to seek advice on how best to secure their property by contacting our Crime Prevention Officer, Constable Dean McAuley. Reducing the opportunities criminals have to gain access to people's homes and businesses will help to deter those involved in this type of crime, and will help to reduce the number of burglaries that take place."
ON THE ROAD
"During the reporting period we have been working to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads through increased education and enforcement. The number of people detected for road traffic offences increased by 35%, helping to make the roads safer for all road users," added the Chief Inspector.
PARTNERSHIPS AND COMMUNITY SAFETY PROJECTS
We have been very successful with the protocols and strategies that have been established with our partner agencies throughout the area. They include:
Operation Safe Summer
Crime Against Children Strategy
The Schools Forum
Anti Bullying Campaign
Initiatives in Reducing Anti-Social Behaviour
Neighbourhood Watch Schemes
The "Good Morning" Programme
" We continue to work in partnership with many local groups and agencies throughout the Larne Area and are continually looking at new ways to address specific issues," he stressed.
"We remain committed to working with the community. The benefits are clear, and continue to help make Larne safer for everyone," concluded Chief Inspector Goddard.
SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION IN LOCAL CRIME FIGURES
Larne District Policing Partnership Chairman Cllr Andy Wilson has welcomed the significant reduction in crime figures announced by Larne PSNI.
He said:
“The figures announced by Police Chief Inspector Goddard show a marked decline in the reported crime figures. In particular the 27 % drop in violent crime in the period April to September is very encouraging.
Larne District Policing Partnership will be going over these crime figures in detail when we meet in public on 5th December at the Ballygally Castle Hotel.
In the meantime, however, we are all conscious of the fact that we are now into the Halloween period, where traditionally reports of anti social behaviour- often connected to the misuse of fireworks- increase significantly.
I would encourage the public to work with the police to ensure that this period passes off as safely as possible. From speaking with Chief Inspector Goddard, I know he is very keen for people to report any incidents of firework misuse to his officers. The police also need information from the public so that the trade in illegal fireworks can be tackled at source.”