Basingstoke has witnessed an overall fall in crime during the first three months of this year.
Police have announced that there was an 8 per cent decrease in reported crime from January to March 2010.
Chief Inspector Andy Bottomley, District Commander for Basingstoke and Deane, said: "I am very pleased with these results which I hope help maintain local people's confidence in the work that my officers and staff do on a day to day basis. I consider that they reflect the hard work of my officers in reducing crime and bringing criminals to justice."
Overall, the number of reported crimes fell from 2,981 to 2,726 over the three month period. The number of home burglaries and criminal damage offences decreased by 34 per cent and 30 per cent respectivley.
The police say that the crime crack down is due to focussing campaigns to crime hotspots, personal security advice roadshows and a summer Anti-Social Behaviour campaign in badly affected areas
The figures were reported to the Basingstoke and Deane Community Safety Forum which consists of groups working with the police to help tackle crime in Basingstoke.
Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council's Cabinet member for Communities, Sport and Leisure Cllr Clive Sanders said: “These figures show that by working together we can make a real impact on crime, as well as the anti-social behaviour that can blight residents’ lives. Communities themselves are a very important part of this team and we need them to work with us by giving them this confidence that we will take action and support them.”
Hampshire Police are currently targeting anti-social behaviour with a three-month summer crackdown, which last year saw a 17 per cent reduction in ASB. Police are encouraging residents to send photographs and videos of incidents to help the police to take action.
See www.hampshire.police.uk for more information.
