Recorded crime in Northamptonshire up by 13 percent in the past year

The amount of recorded crime in Northamptonshire has increased by 13 percent in the past year, with the number of sexual offences up by 78 percent, according to latest Crime Survey figures.
Northamptonshire Police Detective Chief Constable Andy Frost says the rise in crime can be attributed to changes in the way crime is recordedNorthamptonshire Police Detective Chief Constable Andy Frost says the rise in crime can be attributed to changes in the way crime is recorded
Northamptonshire Police Detective Chief Constable Andy Frost says the rise in crime can be attributed to changes in the way crime is recorded

Data published yesterday shows 46,905 recorded crimes in Northamptonshire from June 2014 to June 2015 including 12,303 incidents of violence. This figure is up 53 percent on the previous year.

The force had the second highest percentage increase in sexual offences with 1,498 recorded incidents, up by 78 percent on the previous year.

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However, there were falls in recorded incidents of theft from person (down 21 per cent) domestic burglary (down 12 per cent) and bicycle thefts (down by eight per cent).

The number of public order offences in the county was up by 23 percent and possession of weapon offences were up by six per cent.

There were 10 murders in the county last year.

Nationally, there has been an overall rise in recorded crime of five per cent.

Deputy Chief Constable Andy Frost said the increase in crime could be “attributed to the introduction of vigorous processes last year to improve consistency of crime recording.”

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He said: “It will also have been affected by the introduction of new crime classifications under the violence umbrella, such as ‘malicious communications’ as a violent crime.

“We are developing a long term strategic approach to reducing violent crime across the county, understanding its causes and how to effectively prevent it. We also recently launched Operation Scorpion, focusing resources on intense countywide police activity concentrated on arresting people wanted for violent crimes.

“In line with the national trend and investment in local campaigns to raise awareness, we have seen a rise in sexual offences in the last year.

“Greater confidence in victims to report incidents including historic offences will have affected these figures.

“As a force we remain committed to encouraging victims of crime to report, and focused on making Northamptonshire a safer place.”