New figures announced today (21/4) show that recorded crime continues to fall across Devon and Cornwall.

Crime recorded between April 1, 2015, and March 31, 2016, shows a 3.8 per cent reduction on the same period the year before, or 3,021 fewer crimes.

Victim based reported crimes fell 5.2 per cent with further reductions in burglary dwelling, by 14.9 per cent, and burglary non-dwelling, by 11.5 per cent; plus vehicle offences dropped 10.1 per cent, theft was down 13.1 per cent, shoplifting was down 12.5 per cent; and criminal damage fell 6.2 per cent.

Deputy Chief Constable Bill Skelly said: “In a time of reduced budgets across the board, seeing crime fall in the region is hugely positive. This is testament to the hard work carried out each and every day by our officers, PCSO’s, specials and police staff.

“It should be noted that this is only one measure of police performance and only gives a small snapshot of what we do as a constabulary and with our many partner agencies.

“Crime accounts for only part of the work we do as a force. Detecting and preventing harm, working closer than ever with partners to safeguard communities, providing a high quality of service to our public and ensuring we are a professional and ethical force are all things we are striving to achieve.”

During the reporting period, 196 more sexual offences were recorded, which equates to a 7.6 per cent increase. There was also a 5 per cent rise in domestic abuse related crimes.

DCC Skelly said: “We have said for many years now that sexual offences and domestic violence remains under reported in our society.

“For the past three years we have seen an increase in the reporting of these crimes within Devon and Cornwall. This is a reflection on the confidence victims now have in reporting these types of crimes to the police, and testament to the support victims now receive from Devon and Cornwall Police when they find the courage to come forward and report this type of abuse.”

The Crime Survey for England and Wales carried out by the Office for National Statistics shows that 71.6 per cent of respondents said that Devon and Cornwall Police do a good or excellent job; this means that compared to other forces in England and Wales, Devon and Cornwall has the highest levels of public confidence.

DCC Skelly said: “We still have much we can improve on, but this shows that as a force we continue to move in the right direction, and that Devon and Cornwall continues to be a safe place to live in, and visit.”

Figures from ONS relating to national police performance up to the 31st December 2015 have also been released today. These figures show that Devon and Cornwall Police recorded a five per cent decrease in recorded crime against an eight per cent increase recorded nationally, making it one of only two forces to record a reduction in crime.

During this time period Devon and Cornwall recorded a total of 77,524 recorded crimes, excluding fraud, or 45.4 crimes per 1,000 people, which is the third lowest rate in England and Wales.

Tony Hogg, police and crime commissioner for Devon and Cornwall, said: “While we live and work in one of the safest places in the UK, the pressure to maintain and improve this is immense. Considering the financial constraints that still face policing, it is testament to the dedicated work of our officers and staff alongside partners and our local communities.

“There is a danger that excellent results such as this can hide an underlying position where resources are being stretched further and further. That is why we fought so hard for fairer funding for Devon and Cornwall – a fight that I am sure my successor as PCC will continue.

“Although I will celebrate this excellent news, we simply cannot carry on attempting to do more for less.”