COUNCILLOR WELCOMES DRAMATIC FALL IN CRIME LEVELS (York Liberal Democrats)

York Liberal Democrats <info@yorklibdems.org.uk>

COUNCILLOR WELCOMES DRAMATIC FALL IN CRIME LEVELS

October 5, 2009 12:00 AM

Crime in the Heworth Without area of York fell by almost a third in the last six months, new figures show.

The ward saw a 32% drop in recorded crime in the period from 1st April to 30th September and means the ward has the lowest crime levels in the city.

The ward is covered by the Hull Road and Rural East Wards Safer Neighbourhoods Policing Team and has seen year on year reductions in crime for the last three years.

In 2007/08 the ward saw the second largest fall in crime rates in the city with a drop of almost 22%.

Local Liberal Democrat Councillor, Nigel Ayre, said "Crime has fallen dramatically in the ward in recent years so it is very encouraging to see that the trend is continuing."

"The figures reflect what local people have been telling me, it is clear that people are noticing the falling crime levels."

Earlier this year the Neighbourhood Policing Team moved from Fulford Road Police Station to a new office at Derwent School, a move which was aimed at helping officers work more closely with the local community.

Councillor Ayre said the move would help build the relationship between local people and the police. He said, "The new office has meant that the Neighbourhood Policing Team have been able to work more closely with local people and I am sure that is having an impact on crime levels."

"The Neighbourhood Policing Team are doing a fantastic job and deserve great credit for their success so far."