Latest police figures reveal 1.5 per cent increase in recorded crime

The Antrim & Newtownabbey Police annual crime statistics for 2015/16 reveal a rise in domestic abuse cases, but a drop in the number of violent crimes and hate incidents.

The figures also show a significant increase in drugs seizures and a rise in “crime outcome rates”.

Reflecting on the statistics, District Commander for the area, Superintendent Emma Bond, said: “The latest figures reveal that violent acts have fallen by 244 incidents, a reduction of 10 per cent compared to last year (2014/15), while crime outcome rates have risen to 29.8 per cent which is the highest outcome rate in the area since 2007/08.

“Domestic abuse crimes have increased by 5.1 per cent compared to last year. We see this as an indication of increased confidence in the service we deliver as people who may not have previously come forward are taking the courageous step and calling the police. I would continue to urge anyone who is the victim of abuse to come forward and report it to us.”

She continued: “There have been a large increase in drug seizures, rising from 284 in 2014/15 to 420 in 2015/16. This is a rise of 136 more seizures. We have also made 50 more arrests this year - there were 208 in 2015/16 compared to 158 in 2014/15. This increase has seen more drugs and people involved in drugs taken off the streets as a result of specific police operations targeting this issue, such as Operation Torus.

“In total all recorded crime in the area had a small increase of 1.5 per cent, however we saw a decrease in the number of hate incidents (falling from 80 in 2014/15 to 67 in 2015/16) and a small decrease of 0.7 per cent in the number of anti-social behaviour incidents reported to us.”

Superintendent Bond added: “This year’s figures show us that while we have been making significant strides in tackling a number of local issues, there is always room to do more. In Antrim & Newtownabbey my officers and I are committed to delivering a quality service to the community. In the year ahead we will continue to work hard and in partnership with the Police and Community Safety Partnership and others, to deliver the local policing plan and build confidence in policing and ultimately drive down crime.”