Significant reduction in crime in Rochdale

New figures show a significant reduction in crime across the borough in the past year.

• Victim based crimes were down by 9.4per cent, this is a reduction of 1,360
• Burglary, vehicle crime and robberies fell by over 21.3 per cent, a reduction of 440
• Violent crimes were down by 10.2 per cent, a reduction from 667 to 559
• Criminal damage fell by 19.2 per cent, a reduction of 669
• Anti-social behaviour incidents were down by 3.5 per cent, a reduction of 450

The number of drug users in treatment that were effectively engaged was one of the highest in the region at 92% with the rate of drug-related re-offending reducing steadily through the year.

There has also been encouraging news about harm caused by alcohol, with alcohol-specific hospital admissions being significantly down on the previous year, both overall and specifically in terms of young people.

Cllr Sultan Ali, Cabinet Member for Strengthening Communities at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “These positive results are down to the hard work of the council, police and other agencies all working together on numerous crime reduction initiatives across the borough.

“Each year we are seeing this hard work paying off. Over the past three years schemes to tackle anti-social behaviour, including work by the Youth Service, have led to a 22 per cent reduction crimes of this nature - a fall of 3,468. Over the same period criminal damage has reduced by an impressive 43 per cent, which is a fall of 2,081. And, in the last two years there has been a 35 per cent drop in burglaries, a reduction by 713.”

“The reduction in crime is great news but we want to assure residents we will not become complacent and will continue to keep up the good work in the future. In order to ensure further improvements the partnership is putting a number of plans and new initiatives in place,” Councillor Ali added.

Future projects include:

• The introduction of new Neighbourhood Resolution Panels across the borough
• Commissioning of a local drug treatment system
• A range of actions designed to help in protecting children and young people from alcohol related harm
• Seasonal Greater Manchester-wide initiatives, such as Safe4Summer, Operation Treacle and the Good Guys Scheme
• Introduction of the GMP Volunteer Cadet Scheme to Rochdale, to promote a practical interest in policing amongst young people aged 13-17
• Effective enforcement against premises who do not operate according to regulations and promotion of positive schemes such as Best Bar None to increase public confidence and feeling of safety in the town centres at night 
• Continued joint reactive operations and proactive interventions between Rochdale Council’s Public Protection team and Greater Manchester Police to reduce business robbery