Crime Going Down in Devon and Cornwall

Around four thousand fewer people became victims of crime across Devon and Cornwall in the past nine months.

Figures released by our police show  crime  dropped by 5.5 per cent.
 
That means there were 4,054 fewer recorded crimes between 1 April 2012 and 20 January 2013, compared to the same period in 2011/12.
 
But  reported sexual offences rose by 5.1 per cent  during the same period - that's an  extra 77 crimes.  Police  say  the figure didn't  necessary reflect  what is  hapening in the two counties now because 22 per cent of  the reported offences were  a year or more old.
 
Robbery went down by 20.4 per cent and vehicle crime by 11.1 per cent.
 
And domestic burglary dropped by 23.9 per cent, leaving 847 fewer victims.
 
Cases of criminal damage have also reduced by 1781 crimes – a reduction of 12.1 per cent.
 
Assistant Chief Constable for Crime and Justice Chris Boarland's been talking to our reporter Wendy Buckingham about the figures. 
 
 
Full Figures

Reported crime between 1/04/12 and 20/01/13 fell by 4,054 crimes compared to the same period in 2011/12, (74,123 reduced to 70,069).
 
Robbery: 421 crimes down to 335 crimes, (86 less)
 
Domestic burglary: 3,543 crimes down to 2,696, (847 less)
 
Non-dwelling burglary: 4,640 crimes down to 3,903, (737 less)
 
Criminal damage: 14,705 crimes down to 12,924, (1,781 less)
 
Sexual offences: 1,496 crimes rising to 1,573, (77 more)