Police pleased with reduction in crime

Presenting the report, District Commander, Nigel Goddard, said the figures reaffirmed the overall and continuing local and national trend of falling crime levels and, as a result, a safer Northern Ireland.

Superintendent Goddard commented: “The District, along with the Service, experienced a rise in crime at the start of the financial year 2009/2010 but with real effort, commitment and leadership rose to that challenge and I can report that crime fell within the District in the last six months by approximately 13%.

“Clear vision and direction has been set by our new Chief Constable and our focus going forward in to this year will be very much on delivering what our communities want in terms of personal, professional and protective policing as we strive to be the finest Police Service in the world.

“In achieving that aim I wish to recognise the contribution of DPP's over the last year and look forward to receiving your continued support.

Meanwhile, the Area Commander, Chief Inspector John Magill, said that in the three months since his last report in February, 227 crimes had been reported in Ballymoney.

The total number of crimes in the period April 2009 to March 2010 was 1076. When compared to the same period last year this represents a reduction of 58 crimes, down 5.1% on last year’s figure of 1134.

He went on: “The clearance rate has increased from the nine-month report figure of 16% to the 12 month figure of 19.1% for the period April 2009 to March 2010. When this is compared against the April 2008 to March 2009 figure it gives an increase in the clearance rate of 2.4% on last years figure of 16.7%.

“My Neighbourhood Policing Team under the leadership of Inspector David Anderson continues to work with the community across Ballymoney on numerous matters, details of which are contained in Section 1 of this report. Local officers from my Neighbourhood Policing Team and Response continue to be supported by other personnel within H District including CID, Crime Team, Public Protection Unit and Community Safety. This is in addition to support provided by Roads Policing and Tactical Support Group.”