Crime hits record lows as new survey shows people feel safe
CRIME in Neath and Port Talbot has hit its lowest level since records started.
This coincides with a new survey which found residents are feeling safer in their communities than ever before.
Last month there were 611 crimes recorded, an average of fewer than 20 crimes a day across the division.
That figure compares to 708 crimes recorded in January last year and 922 crimes recorded in January 2008.
Police say it is the lowest monthly level since modern crime recording methods were introduced.
So far this year, overall crime levels are down by 13.1 per cent, including significant reductions in car crime (down by 25.7 cent) and house burglaries (down 46 per cent).
Superintendent Joe Ruddy said: "I am very proud of the achievements of my officers and staff in reducing and detecting crime, especially the reduction in burglaries, a crime which can have a devastating affect on victims and the community as a whole.
"The overall reduction of 13.1 per cent in all crime so far this year has been achieved not only by our relentless pursuit of targeted criminals, but also by work done with the local authority, other partners and the voluntary sector.
"Very little of what we do can be achieved without the continued support of the public.
''We are fortunate in Neath Port Talbot to have such a good relationship with the community, and I would encourage members of the public to continue giving us help and information to keep the community safe.
"The more contact we have, the better we will become at understanding and responding to the needs of the community," he added.
Mr Ruddy said one of the biggest challenges facing the police service was to redress the balance between actual crime levels and the public's perception of crime.
The South Wales Police Public Reassurance Survey carried out in December showed people living in Neath Port Talbot were more likely to feel crime and anti-social behaviour had dropped than any other part of South Wales.
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According to the survey, people in the county also felt safer compared to 12 months ago and were more aware of how to report anti-social behaviour in their community compared to residents living in other areas in South Wales.
Mr Ruddy added: "It is very important to put some perspective on the level of crime in Neath Port Talbot.
"It has been dropping steadily for a number of years now and I would like to reassure the public that, in comparison to other areas in Wales and the UK, we live in a very safe place,'' he went on.
"The fear of crime is far greater than the actual risk of becoming a victim of crime."
JUST eight crimes were reported in the Glynneath area during December, traditionally one of the busiest months of the year, according to latest statistics.
The offences included three incidents of criminal damage, one house burglary and one garage burglary.
One theft was also recorded, involving a set of wheels being stolen from a vehicle, and one drug- related arrest.
Police also arrested a disqualified driver and confiscated the vehicle.
7 Comments
by diane, neath
Sunday, February 21 2010, 10:18PM
“i wonder how many of the crimes solved were in fact caught by the police and not the work of cctv which has proved itself time and again with no fanfare or thank you from the police who only take the praise not do the hard work”
by Swanseajock, Swansea
Thursday, February 18 2010, 3:56PM
“Dave, Briton Ferry. Don't complain about the police reporting that crime figures are down if people don't bother reporting minor crimes. Whatever the police can and can't do, they can't guess what has happened. And if the only reason people report things are to claim from insurance, again thatis not the fault of the police. If everyone bothered to report crime the fihures would sky, and something would then have to be done. I am afraid you can't have it both ways. Report or don't, just don't moan when you don't.”
by bruiser, neath
Thursday, February 18 2010, 12:44PM
“it will only be safer when the elderly feel safe to go out on dark nights, tho' i dont know what they will want to out for then”
by David, Briton Ferry
Wednesday, February 17 2010, 9:29PM
“Nobody bothers to report minor crime anymore, as even significant crimes aren't investigated. ( Hang on and I'll give you a crime number. Sound familiar to anyone who has suffered ). It really is pathetic that it's always claimed that crime rates are on the way down, when the truth is that crime is just not worth reporting unless you want recompence from an insurance company.”
by Dave, Briton Ferry
Wednesday, February 17 2010, 9:22PM
“Nobody bothers to report minor crimes anymore, as even the more significant ones don't get investigated. How sad that because of this fact people can claim that crime rates are down.”
by Paul Johnson, Sandfields, Port Talbot
Wednesday, February 17 2010, 8:02PM
“I hope that the Police are not looking at these figures through rose-tinted specs and get complacent.
How many minor crimes are not reported because the victim feels it's a waste of time?
In our street alone, two houses and three cars were broken into on the same night. Our car was one of them.”
by Cynic, Neath
Wednesday, February 17 2010, 6:13PM
“Even burglars and car thieves were put off by the snow then!”