More police on the streets leads to cut in crime, PCC tells Police and Crime Panel

• Crime in Gloucestershire has fallen by 10% during the last twelve months, the county’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Chris Nelson said today
• While some areas of criminality have shown a small increase,  the PCC explained that this was due to an improvement in the way the Constabulary records offences reported by the public
• The data covers a 12 month period from 2024 to date
• “Crime figures are liable to go up and down but still the most important indicator is that Gloucestershire is a very safe place to live and work”, said Mr. Nelson.

Crime in Gloucestershire has fallen significantly over the last twelve months, Police and Crime Commissioner Chris Nelson said today (Friday).

Latest figures show a 10% drop in criminality over the last 12 months compared to this time last year, Mr. Nelson told a meeting of the county’s Police and Crime Panel.

Although the data also indicated increases in some categories, this can be attributed to how the Constabulary records offences reported by the public, Mr. Nelson explained.

“Just like the stock market, crime figures go up and down and make for an interesting headline. But the important statistic is that across Gloucestershire, crime is down and continues to fall”, he said.

While figures produced nationally showed crime across the county has gone down by 10%, the data included more cases of vehicle theft, robbery and sexual offences along with a number of racial and religiously aggravated offences.

Mr. Nelson said, “I am pleased the Constabulary is putting more officers on the streets and is able to focus on tackling crime as part of our Safer Streets Summer Initiative.  

“Throughout the summer we have had significantly more officers on foot patrol in our towns, taking a no nonsense approach to tackling anti-social behaviour, street drinking, drug dealing and illegal e-scooters/e-bikes.  

“Shoplifting remains a work in progress, with operations planned to deal with the main problem, offenders fuelling their addiction habits.  But all in all, a very positive summer period of action, leading to less crime and safer communities.”