Burglaries locally were being carried out at a rate of SEVENTEEN a week during the last financial year.
That’s according to the latest PSNI figures for the new policing district which mirrors the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council area.
While that figure – which covers the period from April 2015 until the end of March past – seems very high, it is actually down on the previous year.
It is also higher than the figures recorded in the neighbouring Newry, Mourne and Down District Council area.
In the ABC Council were there was 126 fewer burglaries over the stated time periods – a decrease from 1008 to 882.
Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon District Commander, Superintendent Davy Moore said: “In addition to a decrease in burglary, we have also seen incidents of anti-social behaviour fall by 175 incidents, a decrease of 3 per cent. This is particularly pleasing as both burglary and ASB are incidents that strike at the very heart of the community and affect the quality of life of our local residents.
“While I am pleased to note these decreases I acknowledge that there has been a rise in crime overall with a 1.9 per cent increase.
“Even one additional crime is one too many and we will continue to work hard to improve these figures over the coming year.
“The last year has been a challenging one for us, in terms of the nature and extent of the change programme that we have undertaken and in light of the impact of austerity upon the public sector.
“We will now use this statistical information to help inform our operational strategy for the year ahead. I would like to ask the community for their continued support.
“Information and productive partnerships will help us to prevent, detect and deter crime and make Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon a safer place for everyone.”
Burglary in Newry, Mourne and Down has decreased by 15.3 per cent, according to the annual crime statistics.
Burglary fell by 137 incidents between 1 April, 2015 and 31 March, 2016, compared to the same period in the previous year, from 898 incidents to 761.
A decrease in robbery was also noted, down from 40 to 22.
Newry, Mourne and Down District Commander, Superintendent Paul Reid said: “While I am pleased to note decreases in these crime types I acknowledge that there has been an increase in crime overall with a 3.1 per cent increase. Even one additional crime is one too many and we will continue to work hard to improve these figures over the coming year.
“I am pleased to see a reduction in our antisocial behaviour incidents as this is an area which can have a devastating effect on the standard and quality of life in communities. ASB reduced from 4560 incidents in 2014/15 to 4,478 incidents in 2015/16.
“The last year has been a challenging one for us, in terms of the nature and extent of the change programme that we have undertaken and in light of the impact of austerity upon the public sector. We will now use this statistical information to help inform our operational strategy for the year ahead.
“I would like to ask the community for their continued support. Information and productive partnerships will help us to prevent, detect and deter crime and make Newry, Mourne and Down a safer more confident place for everyone.”
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