Crime figures down in Swansea and Neath Port Talbot — but burglaries and robberies are up

REPORTED crime has fallen by more than six per cent in Swansea and Neath Port Talbot — though the number of robberies and burglaries is up.

There were a total of 22,429 crimes in South Wales Police's western division last year according to Home Office data, which was a drop of 6.2 per cent.

The figures, for the year ending September 30, 2012, show there were 4,847 offences of violence against the person across the division — a drop of 2 per cent — some 3,967 incidents of criminal damage — down 12 per cent — and 785 vehicle thefts, which is a cut of almost 14 per cent.

However, some categories of crime saw increases, with 100 robberies being reported across Swansea and Neath Port Talbot last year — up from 95 the previous year — 1,190 house burglaries, an increase of 3.6 per cent, and 1,684 reported thefts from cars and vans, which is a jump of more than 10 per cent.

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Chief Superintendent Julian Williams, commander for the western division, said: "It is really pleasing to see that overall crime is down and there were 1,478 less victims of crime in Swansea and Neath Port Talbot over this 12 month period.

"This is due to the commitment and drive of police officers and staff, together with staff from all the organisations we work in partnership with, who also work in a variety of challenging roles, both reducing and tackling crime.

"The reduction of violent crime will always be a priority for us, together with apprehending those responsible for those offences, and we will continue to tackle the issues surrounding drugs and alcohol head on so that people who live in this area feel safe and are safe.

"We are disappointed in the rise in dwelling burglaries and also robberies and these are areas we are focusing on to reduce to even lower levels than they already are, as we are aware of the impact they have on the victim."

He added: "Key to the continued success of reducing and tackling crime is to have the support of the public, who already work with us on a voluntary basis, but also provide the information required and the plea from ourselves is please keep this coming."

Across the force as a whole, crime levels are at their lowest since 1982.

South Wales Police assistant chief constable Julian Kirby said his staff were very proud of having achieved the lowest figures for 30 years but he said there was "no room for complacency".

He added: "Statistics, however positive, are not everything and we will continue to work hard to address our biggest challenge which is to make people feel safe."

The fall in crime was welcomed by South Wales Police's commissioner Alun Michael.

He said: "The continued drop in crime is a great result for South Wales Police, and the communities we serve.

"The hard work of the officers and staff, under the direction of chief constable Peter Vaughan, has made sure that despite the financial challenges faced, crime has continued to fall. I know that this will continue in the future."