Crime in Kettering drops by four per cent

The number of crimes committed in Kettering has dropped by four per cent year on year, according to the latest police statistics.

In the 12 months leading up to December 2015, Kettering saw 4,644 crimes – down from 4,857 from the previous 12 months.

Of these crimes, 25 per cent have been detected and resolved, with drug offences and violent offences the two most likely to see an offender caught.

There has been a 36 per cent increase in sexual offences – but Northamptonshire Police’s Sgt Megan Sae-Thang says the figures don’t tell the true story.

She said: “There has been a big rise in sexual offences but a lot of the cases involved in this increase are historic.

“Many of them took place 10 or 15 years ago but if they are only brought to light now then they count in this year’s figures.

“Forty per cent of these are domestic-related and some are due to the new laws surrounding revenge porn.”

“We have been tackling anti-social behaviour and we currently have three prosecutions going through the courts.

“Unfortunately we have had a lot of complaints about nuisance vehicles and parking but we have no powers to tackle it.”

The statistics also break down crime figures by borough ward.

Those showing a decrease in crime were: All Saints (13 per cent), Avondale Grange (six per cent), Brambleside (36 per cent), Ise Lodge (14 per cent), Northfield (eight per cent) and St Michael’s and Wicksteed (four per cent).

Those showing an increase in crime were: Pipers Hill (21 per cent), William Knibb (one per cent) and St Peter’s (up by a single crime).