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VIOLENT crime has fallen by almost 20% in 12 months across Merseyside and the trend is continuing.
Home Office figures are expected to confirm today that overall crime is down in Merseyside by 20%, a reduction which surpasses all other police forces nationally.
The only crimes to increase are injuries and murders from guns and a 24.5% rise in drug offences.
Assistant Chief Constable Simon Byrne said: “There’s always a doubt about what these figures actually mean.
“But it is really affecting public perceptions of crime in Merseyside from when people come out of the door and also in their homes.”
Figures released last night show that the trend has continued into the first quarter of this year. Violent crime has continued to fall by 10.8% and robberies by 28.1% while all crime is down on last year by 12%.
Diane Clarke, chairwoman of the performance committee of Merseyside Police Authority, added: “When you’re looking at reductions in crime it’s important it is sustainable.
“Last year we were really excited with the results, but this year it’s more important because it has continued.”
Between 2006/7 and 2007/8 Merseyside has had:
* 28,274 fewer of victims of crime
* 6,048 fewer victims of violent crime
* 1,470 fewer victims of burglary dwellings
* 10,133 fewer victims of criminal damage and arson
* a 27% drop in robberies – 11% better than the national average
The force was ranked first for the biggest percentage decreases in burglary, down 18%, violence against the person, down 20% as well as criminal damage and arson, down 25%.
However, in the face of these successes there were 42 people wounded by gunshots in 2007/08 – an increase of 11 compared with the same period last year. There was also one more murder than in 2006/07.
ACC Byrne said: “Gun crime is down 14% for the year though.”
He also put the growth in drug offences down to the impact his force his having on the streets.
However, statistics earlier this week showed that knife crime has increased.
Around 175 crimes involving knives took place between April and June 2007, but this year 238 similar crimes were recorded between January and March.
