10:03am Thursday 30th July 2009
By Rene Gerryts
BRIDPORT has seen a huge percentage rise in crime in April, May and June compared to this time last year.
The average number of crimes have risen in Bridport by 27.9 per cent – compared with only by 2.8 per cent in Weymouth, and one per cent in Dorchester.
Bridport has seen burglaries and robbery rates soaring.
The average number of crimes in the area has increased from 141 to 180.3. Burglaries have gone up by an average of 52.6 per cent – from 12.7 to 19.3 and robberies are up by 100 per cent, from 0 to 1.7, with two in the last two months.
Vehicle crime has increased from an average of 12.7 to 18 – an increase of 42.1 per cent and the average number of violent crimes have risen from 28.3 to 43 – an increase of 51.8 per cent.
However, the number of anti-social behaviour incidents in the area has dropped by 2.1 per cent from 171.7 to 168.
Inspector Alan Jenkins, in charge of policing in Bridport said: “There have been increases in three key areas including vehicle crime, non dwelling burglary and criminal damage.
“We are currently researching what is going on to ascertain why we have had these increases.
“We have returned to a level of crime that we had in 2005-2006 so the reason the figures are higher is because we have done so well to reduce the base level the last two to three years.
“Violent crime has increased but people should know that that category does encompass incidents like dog bites.
“At the moment we have no geographical or temporal hot spots into when crime and disorder happens.
“There have been more reports of domestic violence which we tend to see in periods of economic downturn in employment as well as other increased crimes.”
But despite the statistical increase people in Bridport do not feel unsafe in their town.
Bridport mayor Martin Ray said: “Let’s look on the bright side. I think this could be because the local police are doing a better job and the increase might be down to putting more boots on the streets when they got more support staff.
“When you called the police you used to be waiting for half an hour but recently they are there pretty smartish.
“And maybe the operators of the CCTV might have got their act together.
“Recently I saw five or so police cars by the clock tower to arrest a couple of gentlemen obviously up to no good and that’s the first time I have seen so many police descend on Bridport.”
Bridport freelance photographer Pete Millson said: “I have not personally been touched by any crime whatsoever.
“It could be luck more than anything, I suppose.
“I see precious little vandalism or graffiti about and my perception is that the town is not particularly threatening, even on some of the estates.”
Katherine Watson, 69, of Bridport, said: “I am completely unaware of crime going up.
“It feels entirely peaceful here and I see nothing to make me think crime has increased at all.
"We came here from London two years ago and believe me this place is like paradise compared.”
Poppy appeal organiser Sallyann Stoodley said crime was a knock-on effect of social conditions: “This is a very poor area and what we need is good housing, good education and good job prospects, but around here there are none.
“You see people hanging around with nothing to do and there is a knock-on social effect.
“I do believe we need more industry. If they have got no money and they see people with money – I am not saying it is the right thing – but you can understand why they do commit crime.”
The increased figures come as Dorset Police’s Chief Constable Martin Baker told the Dorset Police Authority to be prepared for ‘one of the most challenging years to date’.
Despite the rise in crime rates Mr Baker said the force continues to improve and that officers are in no way complacent. He said that he predicts the ‘financial climate will put strains on families and this could increase crime levels’.
The figures shown in the Dorset Police Performance Report show that that violent crime in Dorset has been reduced by 5.6 per cent in 2008-2009, with 681 fewer offences.
It also showed that the police detection rate has fallen by 6.5 per cent to a current level of 14.5 per cent.
Serious violent crime has increased by 10.5 per cent during 2008-2009 – with 30 more offences – although the risk of becoming a victim of serious crime is just three in every 10,000 of Dorset’s population.
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