Crime levels in borough are falling

Oct 17 2012 by Jack Griffith, Uxbridge Gazette

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BURGLARIES in the borough have decreased compared to last year, with overall crime levels falling during the summer.

Between April and September, compared to the same period last year, there has been a 12.3 per cent drop in crime, or 1,421 fewer offences.

But the headline figure is a 12.6 per cent drop in home burglaries, long identified as a priority for the borough’s police.

Inspector Nick Aldworth of Hillingdon Police said the improved figure was ‘very pleasing’ but added more needed to be done to both stop burglars and catch them if they do break in.

“This represents about 150 fewer victims than the same time last year,” said Mr Aldworth.

“As we move into a time of year when we know that burglars use the dark evenings to cover their activity, we call upon all our residents to take extra care about protecting property. We ask all our residents to continue to support our efforts by helping us identify those who steal property.”

The statistics for other types of crime, announced at the last Hillingdon Community and Police Consultative Group (HCPCG) meeting at Hillingdon Civic Centre, were also encouraging.

There was a marked drop in youth violence (minus 26.9 per cent), attributed to ‘a combination of good education around the risks and consequences of being involved in violence’.

There were, however, two more gun crime offences than last year within the time period, and while fewer vehicle thefts have been committed – down by 12.7 per cent – fewer perpetrators are being brought to justice.

The police say they will be conducting ‘targeted operations’ to improve this.

Mr Aldworth stressed that, despite the positive news, the borough’s police would not be resting on their laurels.

“Although this performance is taking crime in the right, downward, direction, we are not complacent about the need to keep the pressure on criminals operating in Hillingdon. The Metropolitan Police Service has set us some very challenging targets that we continue to work towards.”

■ The HCPCG is giving the borough’s teenagers the opportunity to quiz Hillingdon’s law enforcers at Young Persons’ Question Time.

Young people aged 14-18 are being invited to ask questions about police and community safety to a panel including Hillingdon Borough Commander Steven Kershaw, councillor David Simmonds, cabinet member for education and children’s services; and Kamlesh Rana, legal team manager at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court.

The event is on October 31 at 2pm, in the council chamber at the civic centre in Uxbridge High Street.

If you are interested in getting involved, book your place by October 24 and send your questions in advance to Julie Marshall at cpcgqt@yahoo.co.uk.

On the day, turn up by 1pm for registration.