Police claim crime is falling (From Warrington Guardian)

Police claim crime is falling

POLICE chiefs have claimed borough-wide crime has dropped in the past year.

The local police forum, held last week, heard about a number of operations targeting anti-social behaviour and the subsequent issuing of four anti-social behaviour orders.

Chief Inspector Robin Crorie said: "Burglaries, violent crime and vehicle crime in Crewe and Nantwich have reduced over the last year."

Chaired by Cheshire Police Authority chairman Peter Nurse, the forum also heard about the policing of Crewe Carnival, work with retailers to make the town centre safer and the Crime and Disorder Audit, designed to identify local priorities and concerns.

Chief Superintendent Phil Thompson also announced plans to improve local policing services by introducing neighbourhood policing units supported by additional officers working in the community action teams to address crime and disorder and target local criminals.

He said the extra officers would be forging community links to address residents' concerns.

The criteria for emergency responses to incidents will also be reviewed and improvements in reporting incidents were outlined.

Local people raised a number of issues relating to the use of forensic science and its impact on crime, motorists using mobile phones while driving, anti-social behaviour in Shavington; and police call handling.

Mr Nurse added: "The positive police work being undertaken to target crime is extremely encouraging, in particular the reduction in burglaries which should reassure the people of Crewe and Nantwich that the borough is a safe place in which to live and work.

"The improvements to services announced tonight will provide what the public have been requesting - a more local, visible and accessible police presence."

The next meeting will be at 7pm on February 3 at Nantwich Civic Hall.