Crime down in Rushden and Higham Ferrers

4 February 2011, 15:49 | Updated: 16 February 2011, 14:54

Crime levels in Rushden and Higham Ferrers are continuing to fall as 2011 progresses, with two periods of 24 hours last week when no crime was recorded at all.

If crime figures continue to remain at the current level for another month, the district will have seen the lowest crime levels in eight years.

Inspector Vaughn Clarke, sector commander, said: “If we continue with the crime levels we have achieved so far this year, at the end of March we will record the lowest 12 months of crime in East Northamptonshire in eight years.

“In fact, it may be the lowest levels of crime in the last 30 years or so. We know that crime in the UK peaked in the early 1990s, but the crime data that we use now only goes back as far as 2003, when the current crime recording system was introduced.”

Since November officers have made significant arrests in Rushden and Higham Ferrers, something Inspector Clarke believes has led to the reduction in crimes in the area.

“Last week there were two periods of 24 hours where not a single crime was recorded anywhere is Rushden or Higham. Not a single shoplifting, burglary, criminal damage or assault. I have never know the levels to be so low,” said Inspector Clarke.

He added: “Just before Christmas we had the lowest crime figures recorded in a single week than at any time in the last 8 years and two weeks later we had the second lowest.

“As well as a number of significant arrests in the area, we have also seen the benefits of an increase in police officer numbers at Rushden Police Station. There are 14 police constables now working at the station, two years ago there were seven.”

The reduction in crimes in the area means that officers have been involved in extra patrols in both Rushden and Higham Ferrers in the last week.

Anyone who would like to find out about the work of the East Northamptonshire Safer Community Team can do so by logging on to www.northants.police.uk and clicking on the local policing button, or by calling 03000 111 222.