Notes on crime trends, including tackling street prostitution
NOTES FROM A PRESENTATION BY STEVE GREEN, CHIEF CONSTABLE, NOTTINGHAMSHIRE POLICE FORCE
With last year’s extra money, the new or improved services the Police provided included better forensics, automatic number plate reading, Police Community Support officers and a big improvement in call handling.
Nottinghamshire receives far more 999 calls per Police Officer than any other force The Police now pick up 90% of 999 calls within 10 seconds – meeting a new target (old target was 15 seconds). However, the number of phone calls have been increasing since December (reaching 100,000 during March), even though the number of crimes overall has been falling (down 2.7% in the city).
Burglary (dwelling) is down in the city over the last 12 months (Apr. 2003 – Mar. 2004; 2.7%); burglary (other than in dwellings) is down 14.9%; vehicle crime is down (14.1%); robbery is down (5.8%); but violent crime is up (10.3%; although this is in part due to a stricter way of classifying the crime).
The concern on violent crime is that which is drink related. The decline is worse in similar Police authorities, but it’s a major concern and weekly tracking of statistics is showing that it is not getting better.
There has been 3,000 detection more than last year by the force and the detection rate per Police Officer is one of the best in the country. However, the targets for the city are not yet being met.
So the Police want to make more arrests; and would like to seeing people being more effectively dealt with by the criminal justice system.
First part of this strategy is to be much more effective with forensics – tracking DNA, fingerprints and footprints. Forensic scientists would be at the scene of crime 50% or 60% of the time; now they attend the scenes of crime within 3 hours on 15.4% of crimes and within 24 hours on 85% of crimes. With such evidence, there is a drive to arrest identified suspects within a week. Forensics and quicker arrests is thought to be why burglaries are on their way down.
The second part of the strategy is ANPR – automatic number plate reading. Images of number plates are read and suspect vehicles reported to patrolling officers almost instantly, leading to officers in the second part of a patrol to stop the vehicle. This yields a much higher rate of arrests.
A third part of the strategy is the role of Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships that pull the various public agencies and volunteer groups together. Partnerships are often empowered with public money to finance crime prevention exercises.
A fourth part of the strategy is the focus on tackling the problems from drug abuse. “Rat on a Rat” has meant that the public are reporting 30 suspected dealers a week, compared to the 3 a week before the campaign started. The Sherwood project will work to help people convicted to reduce the chances of those with drug problems from re-offending. And from April 1st, Bridewell have been able to test juveniles for drug use.
There are thought to be 3,500 problem drug users within the conurbation (users of heroin or cocaine); if you take into the account the money to feed such a habit, and the allow for the stolen property that might be taken and traded for cash, something like £120 million of property might have to be stolen in the conurbation to feed such habits.
OVERALL TRENDS IN NOTTINGHAM
(Based on notes reported to the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership as of 7thApril, 2004.)
Crime statistics within the City are considered on a 12 months rolling year basis.
There are significant reductions for burglary (dwelling), burglary (other) and vehicle crime. Trends in violence during the year have increased but not as much as compared to other divisions and forces.
1. All Crime
During the last 12 months, crime overall increased 1% up to June 03 and then reduced significantly up until October 03 when the downward trend changed. There is still 2.2% less crime during April 03 to Feb 04 compared to the previous year (April 02 to Feb 03). The reason for this upward trend since October 03 is due in part to the significant increases in violent crime.
2. Burglary Dwelling
The last 12 months started with very high levels of burglary dwelling (nearly 16% higher than the previous year). However, a downward trend has been almost constant and as of February 04 the number of house burglaries are about the same as the same period last year.
3. Vehicle Crime
Vehicle crime in April 2003 started nearly 10% higher than the previous year but a downward trend shows significant reductions starting in August 03. As of Feb 04 there is a 15% reduction compared to the same period last year.
4. Violence
The trend in violence increased from May 03 and then levelled off between August and October 03. Since then, the rate of change has increased more profoundly levelling off in February 04. This increase may well be attributable to the changes in the national crime recording policy, which started in April. The sharper increase in October 03 may be attributable to the return of students as both victims of assault and public order offenders. A more positive policing style will lead to more offences for public order. This is a national and Force trend. Note, the 10.8% increase in the City is significantly less than other Notts. Divisions some of which have 20% increases compared to last year.
5. Robbery
Since April 03 robberies continued to fall significantly compared to last year. Between April and October 03 there were 13% fewer robberies than the previous year (April to Feb 03). However, since then the sharp downward trend reversed up until January 04. The trend is now downward as of February 04 with over 4% fewer robberies compared to the same period last year. There is a sustained reduction in March 04.
6. Burglary Other
In keeping with Burglary Dwelling and vehicle crime, other types of burglary reduced significantly compared to the same period last year. The reduction rate slowed during the winter months but as of February 04 there is 12% fewer burglaries compared to the previous year.
7. Detected Crime
Detections for the different categories of crime have remained consistent throughout the year.
PROSTITUTION
Update from Mick Windmill-Jones at the Respect for Nottingham on 05.05.04
- 78 Prostitutes arrested
- 13 Kerb crawlers arrested
- (5 kerb crawlers arrested Change Programme)
- 1 ASBO
[Last updated – 2004-05-06]
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