Crime on rise

Violent crime against people was up to 1,742 incidents in the past year compared to 1,672 (a rise of 70), however, detection rates increased by 1.3 percent.

There were 167 incidents of car crime over the past year, down to 113. And detection rates increased by 1.2% with 23.4% of these crimes being detected.

Thefts from vehicles was down significantly with just 87 incidents last year compared to 156 the previous year. This is a reduction of 44.2 %.

Car theft is also down with 70 stolen vehicles last year compared to 91 the previous year.

There were just 10 incidents of interfering with a motor vehicle in the past year down by 23 from the previous year.

Other thefts were up by 8.6% with 945 incidents last year. Shoplifting proved the biggest bulk of these offences with 335 incidents recorded by police. This represents a five per cent rise on the previous year.

Fraud and forgery offences were down with 148 recorded - a 20% drop on the previous year.

Burglaries are up by 8.2% with the PSNI recording 566 incidents in the past year, a rise of 43. The detection rate was up slightly but remains low at 9.7%.

The highest number of burglaries were from homes, with 357 targeted.

There were 1,295 incidents of criminal damage over the past year - 91 more than 2010/11.

The number of drug offences remained almost similar with 225 recorded over the past year, just two more than the previous year.

Overall the number of recorded crimes in Craigavon was 5,438 (up 152).

However, overall in the E District of which Craigavon is part, crime has reduced.

District Commander, Chief Superintendent Alasdair Robinson said: “I am pleased to be able to announce a decrease in crime and proud that we are the only district in Northern Ireland to increase our detection rate. These figures are testament to the personal service provided by officers who are spending more and more time in your community.

“This year the professional and protective approach of officers and staff in E District have prevented at least 90 less people becoming victims of crime. This is what drives us to succeed and we will continue to do all we can to make your district safer for everyone who lives, works or visits there.”