By Nick Griffiths Crime Reporter

Last updated at 13:00, Thursday, 10 January 2013

Police say targeting trouble hotspots and persistent offenders has helped cut crime across Carlisle.

Inspector Mark Gilroy

New figures for the city covering most of last year show all reported crime dropped by 19 per cent compared to the same period the year before, down from 5,297 incidents to 4,292.

Other results saw “serious thefts” drop by 5.7 per cent, assaults with injury fall by 15.4 per cent, vehicle crime plummet by 8.7 per cent and vandalism drop by 25.8 per cent.

House burglaries did go up by 10.9 per cent, with an extra 14 incidents reported during 2012 – 142 crimes, compared with 128 during 2011.

A report states almost 60 per cent of these raids were the result of doors and windows being left unlocked.

Inspector Mark Gilroy told the News & Star that some of the ways police tackled problems had changed in recent years, with much more concentration on problem areas and watching out for regular criminals.

“The way we work now is different,” he said. “We identify crime trends, we positively target areas and proactively target individuals involved in crime.”

He added a large part of the drop in assaults could be attributed to work done to cut alcohol-fuelled trouble in the city centre.

Police go out in “highly visible” patrols and officers try to intervene early if any trouble is brewing.

If people are causing problems, dispersal notices can order them to leave an area for a certain amount of time. If they return within that time they can be arrested.

Insp Gilroy said although burglaries were up, detections of these crimes had also increased. He urged people to make sure their home security was up to scratch.

“There has been an increase in burglaries that works out at slightly over one more per month,” he added.

“The message we keep repeating is for people to keep their properties secure. If you want to deter the burglar don’t give them the opportunity.

“We need the public’s support and we need people to think about protecting their own property.”

The figures were published and discussed by Carlisle City Council this week.

Jessica Riddle, councillor with responsibility for communities and housing, said the Carlisle and Eden Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership – an alliance of public organisations – had worked to address crime and disorder.

She said: “Since its inception, we have worked effectively to contribute to significant and sustained falls in crime and disorder.”

First published at 11:41, Thursday, 10 January 2013
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk