Burglaries, robberies and violent attacks are down in Halton, say police (From Runcorn and Widnes World)

Burglaries, robberies and violent attacks are down in Halton, say police

5:50pm Thursday 26th January 2012 in News By Barbara Jordan

BURGLARIES, robberies and violent attacks have fallen in Halton but break-ins of sheds and garages are on the increase.

The latest crime statistics reveal that sexual offences and robberies have dropped by 22 per cent and house burglaries are down by 16 per cent.

Criminal damage has been cut by 14 per cent and there are 17 per cent fewer violent attacks.

DCI Andy Smith, crime manager for the northern area, which includes Halton and Warrington, said: “We have reduced crime and we are confident, though not complacent, that we can continue.

“We’ve got some challenges ahead with our budget reductions.

“We will have less staff but we are keen to make sure this doesn’t mean a reduced number of offices on the street. Back office functions will have less people.

“We will certainly be more streamlined and leaner.”

A crackdown on burglars who stole car keys and drove off in vehicles from homes across Halton led officers to criminals in Liverpool.

DCI Smith said: “We took the fight to them in Liverpool. In the early hours, we strengthened patrols on the border and have seen a reduction in those type of offences.”

Success in deterring house burglars, he said, may have triggered a rise in shed break-ins.

DCI Smith said: “We are putting on extra patrols but we are pleading with members of the community to make their sheds and garages as secure as their houses.”

He said officers strive to identify the cause of each crime.

He added: “We will still prosecute where it is appropriate but as there is a link between violence and alcohol, we try and get to to the root cause.

“If it is alcohol or drug abuse, we refer people to the relevant service to help stop them commiting those offences. ”