By Ian Duncan

Published at 11:40, Wednesday, 09 January 2013

BURGLARIES in Carlisle rose by more than 10 per cent last year according to a new report – but overall crime fell by nearly a fifth.

Campaigns: Carlisle city councillor Jessica Riddle

The figures are contained in a report by Councillor Jessica Riddle, Carlisle City Council’s communities and housing portfolio holder, which shepresented to councillors last night.

The figures reveal that house burglaries increased by 10.9 per cent with an extra 14 incidents reported during 2012 – 142 incidents, compared with 128 during 2011.

The figures also showed that reported incidents for all categories of crime dropped in 2012 by 19 per cent – 4,292 incidents compared with 5,297 in 2011.

Mrs Riddle said: “Crime statistics across Carlislecontinue to fall with the exception of burglary. The increase in burglary in a dwelling is decreasing month by month but still continues to be an issue for both the rural and urban areas.

“Further analysis has identified that almost 60 per cent of incidents continue to be the result of unlocked doors and windows.

“Police and partners are continuing to work together totackle the issue throughtargeted campaigns.”

She added that the efforts of the Carlisle and Eden Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP) had resulted in “significant and sustained” falls in crime and disorder throughout North Cumbria.

The biggest reduction, according to the figures, was forreported incidents of robbery, with a drop of 73.7 per cent – five incidents last year compared with 19 during 2011.

Under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, local authorities and the police are legally obliged to co-operate with health authorities and other agencies todevelop and implement a strategy for tackling crime and disorder in their area.

Talking point – page 14

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