Crime has fallen over the last year in Dacorum

Crime has fallen over the last year in Dacorum, amid an increase in recorded crime across England and Wales.

Hertfordshire Police recorded 10,700 offences in Dacorum in the 12 months up to March, according to the Office for National Statistics.

That was a decrease of 5 per cent compared to the previous year, when there were 11,322.

At 69 crimes per 1,000 people, that was far lower than the rate across England and Wales, which stood at 89.

Crimes recorded in Dacorum included:

- 318 sexual offences, a decrease of 4 per cent

- 3,253 violent offences, up 2 per cent

- 1,087 incidents of criminal damage and arson, down 15 per cent

- 305 drug offences, down 8 per cent

- 73 possession of weapons such as firearms or knives, down 9 per cent

- 683 public order offences, down 17 per cent

- 4,537 theft offences, down 6 per cent.

Overall, police recorded 3 per cent more crime across England and Wales – there were almost 5.8 million offences in the year to March.

Dacorum Chief Inspector Craig Flint said: “It is very encouraging to see that Dacorum is bucking the national trend with a decrease in the number of recorded offences in a number of areas, which is confirmation that our current crime-prevention strategy is achieving the desired results.

“However now is not the time to be complacent as following a slight reprieve, we are now experiencing pre-lockdown operational demand once again.

"This borough is one of the most diverse Community Safety Partnerships in Hertfordshire which can sometimes present a challenge in terms of policing, but I am confident that my teams are continuing their proactive work in rooting out those committing crime and anti-social behaviour in Dacorum.

“Of course, we cannot do this job alone and I’m pleased to say we enjoy an exceptional working relationship with our partners which is vital in helping us deliver the best service we can to Dacorum residents and businesses.”

The ONS said crime figures were largely unaffected by the coronavirus pandemic, as the period covered was mostly pre-lockdown.

However, the National Police Chiefs' Council says its own provisional figures, which cover the four weeks to July 5, show crime has fallen by 14 per cent compared to the same period last year.

This was the fourth update in crime trends the council has released since the beginning of lockdown restrictions, with this month's figures showing the smallest year-on-year drop so far.

Previous updates had shown recorded crime was down by 28 per cent for the four weeks to April 12, 25 per cent down for the four weeks to May 10, and 18 per cent down in the four weeks to June 7.

NPCC lead for crime, Chief Constable Andy Cooke, said: “The vast majority of the public continue to follow the rules in place to limit the spread of the virus, and as a result, we have seen sustained reductions in crime over the course of the lockdown period.

"It is no surprise that as more people are able to move around freely, we will begin to see movement towards previous levels. However, this is a gradual change."

Previous reductions in reports of rape appeared to be slowing, he added, suggesting they may soon return to 2019 levels.

He said: "This is likely to be a combination of increased opportunities for wider social contact and easing of restrictions, making it easier for victims to report rape and assault.

“Please report to us if you have been a victim of rape, assault or domestic abuse – wherever or whenever it happened.

"We will do all we can to investigate and there are many excellent organisations who can provide support and advice."