Crime in Wycombe down again (From Bucks Free Press)

Crime in Wycombe down again

5:34pm Monday 30th January 2012 in Crime By Simon Farr

Crime in Wycombe down again

CRIME across the district has dropped once again and a senior policeman is hoping the latest result dispels any lingering myth that Wycombe is blighted by crime.

Thames Valley Police announced a force-wide 11 per cent decrease in crime between October 2010 and September 2011 last week - the second best in the country and well above the four per cent national average.

And crime in the Wycombe LPA has also been slashed in the last ten months, with a sharp reduction in burglary, robbery, sexual and violent offences - making Wycombe the best performing LPA in Bucks.

Ch Insp Colin Seaton says the figures prove Wycombe is a safe place to live - despite a number of high profile violent crimes in recent months which Ch Insp Seaton believes is ‘sadly part of society for a busy and vibrant town’.

He said: “I think Wycombe, historically, had a reputation of trouble and problems, particularly with the night time economy.

“But we have worked really hard on that night time economy and that can be seen through the retention of the Purple Flag award, our engagement with the public and our partnership with Wycombe District Council.

“That relationship and improvement is something the whole of district can be proud of and hopefully dispels any myths about crime in Wycombe.

“It is a busy, vibrant town. Sadly, every busy and vibrant town has its share of unwelcome violence, it is part of society, but it is important for people to know that it is on the decrease in this LPA.”

From April 2010 up until today, January 30, violent crime in Wycombe was down 6.2 per cent, with 487 reported violent crimes (519 last year).

There were 632 reported burglaries, 49 fewer than last year in a reduction of 7.2 per cent.

The number of people attacked and robbed fell by 12.5 per cent, with 140 victims in the last ten months, as opposed to the 160 last year round.

Serious sexual offences were slashed by 28.1 per cent, with 82 reported crimes (114 last year).

Car theft was also down 12.5 per cent - but theft from motor vehicles was again on the rise with 878 crimes, up 2.2 per cent.

Ch Insp Seaton said this was partially due to motorists “making it easy for thieves” by leaving their vehicles unlocked or expensive items on display.

He said: “There are a number of factors to this but in the last couple of months at least 30 of these thefts have been as a result of people leaving their vehicle unlocked.

“It is important to reinforce the message – do not make it easy for thieves.

“Most thefts are carried out by opportunists, some criminals actively target vehicles, but certainly on some cases it’s made easy by motorists not locking doors, leaving windows open or leaving items on display.”

The full end of year crime figures for LPAs coincide with the tax year and will be released in April.