Fall in crime in Devon despite funding concerns
Devon and Cornwall police has shown to have reduced crime despite significant budget cuts.
In figures published today, Devon and Cornwall is shown to have reduced the overall level of crime by 6.3%, meaning there are over 5,000 fewer crimes than in the previous year.
Although most crime has fallen with a significant reduction in Burglary and Vehicle crime, there has been a small rise in sexual offences and violence without injury.
Deputy Chief Constable David Zinzan told The Exeter Daily today: “We have seen steadily reducing crime in the last year and it shows more clearly than ever that Devon and Cornwall remains very safe in comparison to the rest of the country.
“Our success is down to a number of different factors; we have a revamped intelligence service, we have had a larger focus on areas of repeated crime as well as liaising with repeat victims and our partner groups.
“We have also improved our patrol patterns and given advice to the community on how to reduce crime.”
Also published today is the Government’s Policing in Austerity report, which shows Devon and Cornwall police has made good progress towards making large-scale funding reductions whilst still providing an effective public service.
The report by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) has also acknowledged that despite being the UK’s largest geographical force, they receive below average funding.
This shows an improvement from last year’s report raising concerns that an efficient and effective police service may be at risk from budget cuts.
Tony Hogg, Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon and Cornwall, said: “I’m very pleased to see that the HMIC has recognised the action already taken by Devon and Cornwall Police which has enabled it to take a firm grip on the challenges it faces.
“It highlights that the force has made good progress and that it is in a much stronger place to manage further tough spending decisions.
“However, it’s important we don’t rest on our laurels and I will continue to discuss with the Chief Constable where further improvements can be made.”
The Force is recruiting new officers again with three planned campaigns to attract new officers to the Force.
Deputy Chief Constable Zinzan said: “Our current youngest officer is 26 so we are hoping to hire some younger officers as well as officers and Police Community support Officers from BME communities. We are committed to having at 3,090 working officers.”
This comes after a hiring freeze since 2010 designed to help balance the funding situation.
The Force however still has to make good on the £53.5million savings before March 2015 which will see an overall reduction in officers and police staff.
Devon and Cornwall also plans to reduce its real estate holdings and make better use of the facilities it shares with its partners.
