The latest Home Office crime figures for April 2009 to March 2010 show that south Kent continues to be a safe place to live, work and visit with total recorded crime down by 13.2% compared to the previous year.

2,797 fewer victims of crime between April 2009 and March 2010

The actual number of crimes fell from 21,113 to 18,316 (April 09 to Mar 10 compared to the previous year), which means there were 2,797 fewer victims of crime.

The number of burglaries at homes across south Kent has gone down from 893 to 789, a reduction of 104, and at 5.7 burglaries per 1,000 households, the lowest burglary rate in Kent.

Violent crime has also gone down by 9.8 % from 4,787 to 4,317 (470 offences), and robbery has gone down by 13.4% from 172 to 149 (23 offences).

There were 560 fewer vehicle offences and criminal damage reduced by 17.7% which meant 953 fewer victims last year.

Chief Superintendent Chris Hogben, South Kent Area Commander said: 'This is another significant achievement and is a result of much hard work by all the police officers, PCSOs and police staff in South Kent.

'It is also the result of a number of successful operations and initiatives to reduce crime and to tackle the priorities that have been raised by the people of Ashford, Dover, Folkestone, Hythe, Deal, Sandwich and the rural parts of South Kent.

'My officers have taken part in the largest ever community engagement operation and have spoken personally to thousands of local residents to find out about local concerns and tackle them direct.  This has led to South Kent achieving the highest increase in public confidence across Kent, and something we will build upon.

'Our Neighbourhood Task Teams in each of our three districts have helped to reduce anti social behaviour (ASB) in many parts of South Kent and along with neighbourhood officers and PCSOs have identified and dealt with many of the main ring-leaders.

'Our approach to the night-time economy has seen high visibility police patrols and early intervention to prevent disorder and violence in our town centres on Friday and Saturday nights.  Proactive work by our licensing officers has also resulted in less alcohol being served to under-18s and restrictions on a number of licensed premises to make the Area’s nightlife safer.

'There have also been a number of large-scale multi-agency operations based on the strategic road network which has led to a large number of arrests and other sanctions and significant disruption to criminals.

'We have achieved crime reductions in South Kent every year for the last few years and have been given tough new targets to keep reducing it. Whilst we face challenging times ahead, I’m confident my officers will continue to work hard and provide a first class policing service to the people of South Kent.'

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