Recent figures reveal decreasing crime rates across South Yorkshire
The latest figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) have revealed decreasing crime rates across South Yorkshire over the 12 months leading up to June 2021.
Several crime types have seen a decrease with overall crime rates reportedly dropping by five percent.
Theft has decreased by 21 percent, residential burglary by 18 per cent, knife crime by 15 percent and robbery by 14 percent.
South Yorkshire has also seen a slight decrease in sexual offences as opposed to places like Yorkshire and the Humber which saw an increased percentage.
A large increase in drug offences of 21 percent is reportedly due to South Yorkshire Police’s renewed efforts to target gang crimes and drugs supply.
Dr Alan Billings, South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner, wrote on his blog about the decreasing crime rates: “It is good news to see a reduction in the number of crimes in areas such as theft, residential burglary and knife crime and these are the areas of crime that the public often tell me they are most concerned about.
“I am particularly pleased to see the fall in knife crime because this is not often the public perception.
“I want to thank those officers whose hard work lies behind many of these statistics.
“However, whilst I welcome the figures, I am also cautious about comparing them to previous years as we are still working to understand the extent to which the pandemic has affected criminal activity over the past year and in what ways.
“The increase in drug offences seems concerning, but in part it will indicate that the police have been very proactive in tackling drug dealers and those involved in the drugs trade.
“A significant number of disruption operations have been undertaken to tackle gang-related crime and disrupt serious criminal activity, and this will have put up the number of recorded crimes.
“I have invested more funds into South Yorkshire Police to enable them to recruit more officers across all areas but also to establish a team to specifically tackle those serious and often violent offenders who make their money from supplying drugs.
“More crimes are now being detected and more people being prosecuted and often receiving lengthy prison sentences and this is what the public expect.”
(Photo: TheDigitalWay)
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