THE latest crime figures reveal that crime has increased in Weymouth, Dorchester and Bridport.

This comes after Dorset Police’s Chief Constable Martin Baker told the Dorset Police Authority to be prepared for ‘one of the most challenging years to date’.

The average number of crimes for the April, May and June period has increased in Bridport by 27.9 per cent, Weymouth by 2.8 per cent, and Dorchester by one per cent.

Despite the rise in crime rates Mr Baker said the force continued to improve and that they were in no way complacent.

He said that he predicted the ‘financial climate will put strains on families and this could increase crime levels’.

The figures shown in the Dorset Police Performance Report show that violent crime in Dorset has reduced by 5.6 per cent in 2008-2009, with 681 fewer offences but also the police detection rate has fallen by 6.5 per cent to a current level of 14.5 per cent.

Serious violent crime has increased by 10.5 per cent during 2008-2009 – with 30 more offences – although the risk of becoming a victim of serious crime is just three in every 10,000 of Dorset’s population.

Assistant Chief Constable Mike Glanville assured the police authority board that one of their serious challenges this year was to tackle serious violent crime and said that he is expecting some positive results in the next three months.

Dwelling burglary has increased by 4.8 per cent on last year, robbery has increased by 7.8 per cent and vehicle crime by 3.5 per cent.

Dorset continues to have the lowest rate of robbery compared with our five similar neighbouring counties – Surrey, Hampshire, Sussex and Thames Valley – with regards to robbery with 262 cases reported in the last year.

Despite a 3.5 per cent increase in vehicle crime, overall the vehicle crime rate has reduced by 57.4 per cent compared to levels in 2007-2008.

Within the Dorset County divisional area the number of people killed or seriously injured on the roads has increased by 8.9 per cent.

Across Dorset there have been 10 less fatalities on the roads and there have been no child fatalities on Dorset’s roads for two years.

WEYMOUTH AND PORTLAND

The average number of crimes has risen for the Weymouth and Portland division by 2.8 per cent compared with this time last year.

The average number of burglaries in this area has increased from 57.3 to 65.3 per month during April, May and June 2009 – an increase of 14 per cent. The number of robberies has almost doubled with the number rising from 1.7 to 3.3 compared with the same period last year.

There have been 10 robberies in the area in the three-month period this year.

Vehicle crimes in this area have decreased from 43.3 to 38 which is a 12.3 per cent decrease from last year.

Violent crimes in this area have dropped from 134.3 to 123 – an 8.4 per cent decrease. The number of anti-social behaviour incidents in Weymouth and Portland has increased from 624.3 to 678.

Inspector Pete Meteau, in charge of policing in Weymouth and Portland police, said: “We undoubtedly have challenges ahead but we are responding to them with the help of our partners.

“Our biggest challenge is public perception – people think crime is getting worse but if you talk to them they then think it’s not that bad.”

Insp Meteau added that although the recession had made a slight impact with petty crime, it was far too early to estimate how much the recession would hit West Dorset with regard to crime figures.

DORCHESTER AND SHERBORNE DIVISION

This division has had a one per cent increase in the average number of crimes compared to last year – making it one the lowest crime areas in West Dorset.

The average number of burglaries in this area has decreased from 34.7 to 23.3 – a 32.7 per decrease for the period.

Robberies have been reduced by 25 per cent with the average number decreasing from 1.3 to one.

Violent crimes have decreased by five per cent – with the average number dropping from 40.3 offences to 38.3.

Vehicle crimes in Dorchester and Sherborne have risen with an increase of 17.7 per cent – from 20.7 to 24.3.

Anti-social behaviour incidents have increased from 257.7 to 269.7.

Sergeant Steve Yeoman from Dorchester Police Station said: “We have been targeting the three categories of crime and we’re happy that the crime rates have decreased.

“We have also been very proactive tackling anti-social behaviour so those figures should be reducing soon.”

BRIDPORT DIVISION

Bridport has seen the largest increase in crimes in West Dorset with burglaries and robbery rates soaring. The average number of crimes in this area has increased by 27.9 per cent, from 141 to 180.3.

Burglaries have increased by 52.6 per cent – from 12.7 to 19.3 and robberies are up from zero to 1.7 with two in the last two months.

Vehicle crime has increased from 12.7 to 18 – an increase of 42.1 per cent and the average number of violent crimes have increased from 28.3 to 43 – an increase of 51.8 per cent.

However, the number of anti-social behaviour incidents in the area has dropped by 2.1 per cent from 171.7 to 168.

Inspector Alan Jenkins, in charge of policing in Bridport said: “There have been increases in three key areas including vehicle crime, non-dwelling burglary and criminal damage.

“We are currently researching what is going on to ascertain why we have had these increases.

“We have returned to a level of crime that we had in 2005-2006 so the reason the figures are higher is because we have done so well to reduce the base level the last two to three years.

“Violent crime has increased but people should know that that category does encompass incidents like dog bites.

“At the moment we have no geographical or temporal hot spots into when crime and disorder happens.

“There have been more reports of domestic violence which we tend to see in periods of economic downturn in employment as well as other increased crimes.”

  • All crimes are a monthly average of offences in April, May, June this year compared with the same period in 2008.