Basingstoke cops have solved 100 per cent of robberies reported to them since the start of October, according to the borough’s police chief.
Basingstoke and Deane’s district commander, Chief Inspector Andy Bottomley, praised his team and pledged to strive to maintain the record.
The success follows the launch on October 1 of Hampshire Constabulary’s Operation Nemesis, a county-wide crackdown on serious acquisitive crimes, such as burglary, robbery and motor vehicle theft.
Ch Insp Bottomley said 100 per cent of robberies committed since October 1 have been solved, and 23 per cent of burglaries have been cracked.
At the launch of Operation Nemesis, Detective Superinten-dent Callan Cessford, who heads up Nemesis from Hampshire police HQ in Southampton, said the operation’s aim was to reduce serious acquisitive crime by 15 per cent.
Basingstoke’s figures have indicated a fall of 23 per cent.
Ch Insp Bottomley told the Observer: “It’s happened through an increased focus by the police service, a number of different operations and initiatives and increased proactive patrols both in uniform and plain clothes.
“We are having a focus on burglary and our detection rates is possibly one of the best in the northern area. We are carrying on doing what we do well. It’s attention to detail. We have good processes here with clear objectives and great team work. I am very proud of the successes we have had. We have made some phenomenal arrests this year.”
Police figures show that since 2009 the number of burglaries and robberies solved has increased year-on-year.
From April 1 to November 15 in 2009, there were 298 burglaries and 63 robberies, with 17 per cent and 12 per cent solved. And from April 1 to November 15 this year, 288 burglaries and 61 robberies were reported, of which 22 per cent and 41 per cent were solved.
Police districts across the county were given additional funding for Operation Nemesis, which runs until April next year.
Ch Insp Bottomley said he was confident his team would remain tough on crime when the campaign closes.
“The important thing for us is to make sure we carry on what we do well without the need for additional funding,” he said.
The figures were released in the wake of fears that frontline policing will be affected following Hampshire Constabulary being forced to find £55m savings by 2015 following cuts in its grants.
Earlier this year, Hampshire Constabulary announced it will close 25 front desks across the county, including Tadley police station, in a bid to save £1.8m.
Ch Insp Bottomley said: “At the moment there are no plans to cut PCSOs or officers in Basingstoke. Basingstoke police station will remain open seven days a week until 10pm in the evening.”
For a fuller breakdown of the figures, visit www.basingstoke observer.co.uk
