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Violent crime rise ‘reflects extra arrests’

Penny Coles
13/ 6/2007

VIOLENT crime has risen in Glossop despite a massive police campaign - but criminal damage is down.

There were 143 violent crimes between 1 April and 3 June, which was a 32 per cent rise on the 108 violent crimes for the same period last year. However, initiatives to tackle criminal damage are working, with a 12 per cent drop from 130 incidents last year to 114 this year.

Inspector Stuart Thompson defended said much hard work was being done as part of the police's Operation Relentless.

Insp Thompson said the higher violent crime figures reflected a higher arrest rate, stating: "The main reason for the rise is because police officers have been out on the streets taking positive action. In time, we should also see a reduction in the figures.

"It is, however, very encouraging that already this year we have managed to crack down on criminal damage.

"We are all committed to maintaining the great start we have made."

"We have been able to put more officers out on the streets and we are doing our utmost to stop people re-offending.

"The Glossop custody suite has been open for longer, so we don't lose officers through transporting prisoners to Chesterfield. And we have seen an increase in the number of arrests."

Police upped their efforts after annual figures in April showed violent crime up by 17 per cent and criminal damage up 21 per cent.