Achieving Success Together

Last Thursday we released our annual statistics detailing crime figures for the period 1 April 2010 to 31 March 2011.

During the year there were 4,099 less victims of crime. We have reduced the level of crime to a 13-year low and increased our detection rate to 27.3%, up 1.5% on the previous year.

By working in partnership with many other public, private and voluntary agencies, road deaths have been reduced and 43 fewer people died on the roads. There were over 3,500 drugs seizures, more than the previous year resulting in fewer drugs on our streets for dealers to sell to our children and young people.

While there were 237 less victims of violent crime, robberies and sexual offences increased. Together with our partners, we are working hard to identify ways to reduce these incidents and I encourage everyone to follow our personal and business safety advice.

It is accepted that we work in a unique policing environment. No other UK police service faces the daily threat of terrorist attack on their officers and staff. Regrettably, at times this threat will impact upon the style and delivery of our service in some areas. I assure you that we will not allow the threat to prevent us from working with and in communities to tackle crime and deal with the issues that really matter.

Despite the reduction, there still were over 105,000 victims of crime and we recognise the huge impact left on some individuals long after events have passed. That’s why we will focus on the personal impact of crime and tackle anti-social behaviour and crime in a professional and protective manner.

We will continue to listen to communities, identify local issues of concern and work together to solve them. We will redouble our efforts to prevent people becoming victims of crime and where crimes occur, do our best to bring those responsible to justice.

The successful reduction of overall crime would not have been possible without your support. You are our partners in crime prevention and reduction. This is as much your success as it is ours.

Going forward we want to do even better. I appeal for your unconditional support in tackling crime, preventing serious harm and protecting communities as we strive to be the finest personal, professional and protective police service in the world.