Crime rise blamed on credit crunch

Oct 4 2008 by Chris Robinson, The Journal

CRIME is soaring in Northumberland, The Journal can reveal today. Northumbria Police statistics show an 11% increase in total crime, with violence, sexual offences, vehicle theft, and burglary, all going up between April 1 and August 31 this year compared to the same period in 2007.

North MPs last night said they feared the credit crunch was having an influence on crime levels and also expressed concerns that criminals from urban areas were targeting rural communities because they were seen to be a soft touch.

But Northumbria Police said crime was continuing to fall across the North East and, despite the increase in Northumberland in the last quarter, the figures were still at their second lowest level in the county for the last five years.

Acting Chief Supt Mike Jones said: “While crime is higher in some areas than it was this time last year, it is still at its second lowest level in Northumberland for the past five years and the overall trend in the area command is for crime continuing to fall.

“It should also be noted that this period last year was exceptional in terms of crime reduction and these figures represent only a small portion of the year.”

The figures published on the Northumbria Police website show a 6% increase in violent crime, 29% in sexual offences, 25% in vehicle crime, 25% in burglary and 27% in drug offences during the last quarter.

Neil Atkinson, of the North East-based National Victims’ Association, last night said: “Any statistical increase in crime is to be regretted and we would hope and expect Northumbria Police to redouble their efforts to tackle this rise.

“But the Victims’ Association considers itself to be lucky to be based in the Northumbria force area because of the excellent proactive campaigns carried out by the police who have always been willing to work with us and listen to our concerns.”

Alan Beith, MP for Berwick, said: “It is disappointing to get these figures after long periods when Northumbria Police have been successful in reducing crime in Northumberland.

“But it does bear out comments I have been hearing from constituents about fear of crime in the county. I think one of the reasons might be criminals from urban areas being displaced to Northumberland.”

Peter Atkinson, MP for Hexham, also felt the increase in crime was a cause for concern and rural communities needed to be more vigilant.

He said: “I’ve taken a look at the figures and, of course, they concern me.

“We have to put it in perspective because crime is going down generally, but the figures I’m most concerned about from this latest quarter are the increases in miscellaneous violence, theft from vehicles, and burglary.

“In terms of burglaries, I think we’re seeing rural properties and farms targeted because opportunistic thieves think they are a soft touch. Already this year we’ve seen diesel thefts and expensive equipment stolen from farms and sheds.”

Blyth Valley MP Ronnie Campbell said: “Criminals have no excuse for their behaviour, but the increase in violent crime could be linked to the economy as people get increasingly frustrated with the lack of money. There will be other causes for the increase in crime in Northumberland too of course, such as criminals coming into the country from other areas, and I think the police should be keeping a close eye on the situation in case these rises continue.

“It’s up to the public too. We’ve all got to be on the look-out for crime.”

We’ve seen diesel thefts and expensive equipment stolen from farms and sheds