Burglaries in Hull at all-time low
BURGLARIES in Hull are at a historic low, according to new figures.
Offences dropped to an average of fewer than six a day for the first time.
It means Hull, which has traditionally been a hotspot for burglaries, is bucking upward force-wide and national trends.
Detective Chief Inspector Scott Young said: "It is a huge success and, although there are still houses being burgled, we are getting on top of things and we will keep striving to drive that number down.
"We are more intelligent now in the way we tackle burglaries."
In the 12 months to March 2008, 2,319 burglaries were committed, but in the year ending March 2009, that number had dropped to 2,175.
It means burglaries in Hull dropped seven per cent from April last year to the end of March this year – a total of 144 fewer offences.
Nationally, there has been a two per cent rise in burglaries and across the force, which includes the East Riding, North and North East Lincolnshire, there has been a six per cent increase.
The fall in Hull has been attributed to the work of a specialist team set up to tackle house burglaries just over two years ago.
The burglary squad, which is part of the priority crime team based at Priory Road police station in north Hull, is made up of one detective sergeant, 10 detective constables, three constables, two civilian forensic experts and three civilian officers.
According to the team, it has been locking up suspects faster, responding to incidents more quickly and using better intelligence.
Detective Sergeant John Fuller, who leads the burglary team, said: "We have a good team of dedicated officers who work hard and all know exactly what is expected of them.
"We have three intelligence officers working full-time trying to pull things together. We have forensic reports coming through to us daily and when someone is identified as a suspect, we aim to lock them up within 24 hours.
"If people are not locked up, they continue to commit offences. By reacting quickly, we are able to nip things in the bud.
"As a direct result of that, the figures have dropped because we are locking up more burglars, which means they are not on the street committing offences."
Despite the success, people are being urged to continue to help tackle the problem.
As part of a national campaign, members of the public are being asked to report suspicious behaviour and take measures to protect their property.
Crime prevention leaflets are being distributed and Smartwater marking – which is undetectable to the human eye but can be seen under ultraviolet light – has been used on property in more than 12,000 of the city's 105,000 households.
Community awareness events have also been organised to let people speak to police and find out more about crime prevention.
Officers were in Queen Victoria Square, city centre, today from 10am to 3pm as part of the campaign.
Links
Humberside Police
www.humberside.police.uk
Crime Reduction
www.crimereduction.homeoffice.gov.uk
27 Comments
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by Carl, Hull
Tuesday, April 07 2009, 10:07PM
“So the headline should read "reported burglaries in Hull at all-time low"”
by Ann, Hull
Tuesday, April 07 2009, 8:58PM
“But Carl, crime figures only ever claim to be for reported crime. So they are correct in the sense that they correctly reflect crimes that the compilers know about. They cannot reflect what they don't know about, they are not clairvoyant!!”
by richard, hull
Tuesday, April 07 2009, 7:14PM
“As a qualified Master Locksmith I recently wrote to Hull in Print. I had put together a short piece on improving household security ect.This was some 4 weeks ago, I have not heard anything. I then wrote back with a few statistics statistics and dam lies thinking I might get a reply. Guess what ¿I still have not had a reply.”
by Carl, Hull
Tuesday, April 07 2009, 7:06PM
“Ann, Hull, You only have to read through these comments to see that not everyone has reported burglaries, therefore how can these figures be correct.”
by Mike, Hull
Tuesday, April 07 2009, 3:11PM
“Now here is a thought, I was broken into about 6 weeks ago. The police asked various questions but said they wouldn't be sending scenes of crimes people out. The following day the local policeman turned up with a PCSO they questioned me helped me smartwater belongings not taken, gave me a series of telephone numbers which I rang my house has been Target Hardened to make it harder to break in, my garage, Shed and Bikes are now better protected even my drive way has an alarm on it. I feel safer and more secure and when I asked why they told me it has stopped repeat burglaries by 85%, believe me you do not want it twice so report it the worst that can happen is your home becomes safer.”
by Ann, Hull
Tuesday, April 07 2009, 12:56PM
“Carl, how do you know the figures are incorrect? And Glenn, there is no logic at all in the statement that your burglar would not be caught because they got in through an open window. The basic fact remains that if you don't report a crime, any crime, then the police will do nothing about it, and the figures will be understated.”
by Glenn Quagmire, Rhode Island
Tuesday, April 07 2009, 12:45PM
“My friend got burguled, never reported it, there was no point in doing so - only minor things got stolen and they would never be caught anway as they got in through an open window.”
by Carl, Hull
Tuesday, April 07 2009, 11:53AM
“Aint out wrong wiv mi gramma lol, but the fact still remains, the "figures" are incorrect”
by Tony, Hull
Tuesday, April 07 2009, 11:37AM
“Phillip, Hull. I've been broken into a number of times. Some have been reported some haven't. They've caught 2 people after I reported a break in, 1 was let off because of a sloppy job by the police and the other got a suspended sentence...”
by philip, hull
Tuesday, April 07 2009, 11:00AM
“Puzzled of east hull, you state people may not report crime because of supposed lack of faith, well i would also suggest how many supposed burgalries are nothing more than insurance scams by folk short of money, especially in thse hard times. And its funny how a 24 inch colour TV worth £200 becomes a 42" surround sound tv worth £800 when the claim forms are submitted, along with items of priceless jewelerry with lost receipts. And as for nothing being done if you report a burglary, thats is simply not true, or if you have evidence to prove the opposite, do tell us all, and complain to the Chief Constable, or will you not do that, because your sure nothing would get done about that either. Can't win can they with people like you.”