Crime stats welcomed by Merseyside's PCC and Chief Constable
25.07.24 - Merseyside
Merseyside's Police and Crime Commissioner and Chief Constable have welcomed the publication of statistics showing overall crime has fallen by 14.26% in Merseyside for the year ending March 2024 compared with the previous 12 months.
The Office of National Statistics (ONS) released an annual report yesterday, Wednesday 24 July, showing crime statistics for all police forces across England and Wales, where crime had fallen by 3.5% on average.
In Merseyside, reports of a number of serious crimes have reduced, further building on reductions in previous years
- Violence against the person offences reduced by 12.55%
- Robbery offences fell by 11.19%
- Cyber Crime decreased by 38.80%
- Sexual offences dropped by 12.13%
- Knife Crime decreased by 13.35% in Merseyside
- Burglary offences saw a 16.2% reduction, compared to the national average of 3.5%
- Robbery offences fell by 11.19%
- Vehicle Offences fell by 11.76%
- Drugs offences fell by 5.98%
- Gun crime reports fell by 10% and firearms discharges by 9.5%
Merseyside’s Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell said: “It is hugely encouraging that crime has fallen by more than 14% across Merseyside in the past year.
“This downward trend is very welcome, and it is testament to the dedication and commitment of officers and staff, supported by our partners, who work so hard to prevent and tackle crime and target those who seek to harm our communities.
“It is particularly significant that we’ve also seen decreases in the most serious crimes which cause the greatest heartache and misery, particularly gun crime, violence, and sexual offences.
“These reductions mean fewer people are being harmed and less fear and suffering in our communities.
“While figures like these are what we all want to see, we are never complacent.
“In the last month, there have been two devastating gun murders in our region, which have left two families shattered. These tragedies are a sobering reminder that there is still much more to do to eradicate the toxic individuals who, driven by their own greed, use violence with no care for the harm they inflict on others.
“By being united and standing against them, we can make our streets safer, and my thanks go to everyone across Merseyside who has played their part, acting as the eyes and ears of the police and providing the intelligence which means dangerous, ruthless individuals can be brought to justice.
“By doing so, you are giving Merseyside Police the tools to drive down crime and keep people safe.
“We know there are some people who are still anxious about reporting to the police and for some crimes, particularly violence against women and girls, we are seeing just the tip of the iceberg. It’s important we continue to build trust and confidence in our communities, make sure it is as easy for them to report as possible and focus on making sure they get the right response and the right outcome when they do.
“Prevention is also key to all this work. If we can intervene early and stop people, particularly young people, from ever getting involved in crime, then we can make sure these decreases continue in the years ahead.
“It’s a priority for Merseyside Police, supported by our highly effective Merseyside Violence Reduction Partnership. The MVRP has reached and engaged with more than 114,000 young people in the last five years to help steer them on to a more positive path and ensure they don’t get involved with harmful or dangerous behaviours.
“These figures show all this work is making a difference. As they are released, I’m pleased that we have announced a further £500,000 investment in diversionary activities through our new Youth Empowerment Scheme designed to help prevent future spikes in violence and drive these crimes down even further.”
Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said: “It gives me great pride and satisfaction to see in black and white that the hard work put in by officers and staff all year has reaped such rewards.
“These numbers represent thousands of people in Merseyside being spared the pain and suffering these crimes can bring. They show that we are going in the right direction, but we know that there is more work to be done.
“While gun crime reports and firearms discharges are down, and at their lowest point in 20 years, two families are grieving the tragic losses of Ellis Cox and Rikki Berry this year.
“The impact gun crime can have on communities cannot be overestimated, and that is why we carry out stop checks, warrants, land searches and arrests all year round.
“Our work to disrupt those who carry, store and use firearms never stops and, supported by partners, strategies for prevention and diversion such as EVOLVE Clear, Hold, Build are having a real impact on the ground.
“Offenders involved in the storing and use of weapons have received substantial prison sentences in the past 12 months, stopping their criminality and sparing our communities from further misery at their hands.”
Chief Constable Kennedy added: “Burglary devastates victims in our communities, so it is pleasing to see that focussed activity under Operation Castle continues to provide year-on-year reductions and a 16.2% decrease this year, building on a 13% decrease last year. In real terms, this means 944 less people have come home or woken up to find that the very space they should feel safe has been violated by burglars.
“Sexual offences have an absolutely devastating effect on victims, with mental health, and the ability to trust others and form relationships all impacted hugely, often for a lifetime. It is therefore very encouraging to see that sexual offences have decreased by 12.3%, and we will continue our dedicated work to prevent people becoming victims of such a despicable crime through the force’s Unity Team. They are specially trained to investigate allegations thoroughly and make sure victims are properly supported throughout the whole criminal justice process.
“There was an increase in one crime type – shoplifting was up by 14.19% in Merseyside, and had risen by 29.3% nationally. Retail crime is not victimless – it has an impact on people living and working in our shops, people who provide a vital service for our communities.
“We work with retailers every day to tackle shoplifting, providing targeted patrols and security advice and we have successfully obtained Criminal Behaviour Orders to prevent repeat perpetrators from entering areas they have plagued.
Chief Constable Kennedy said: “Officers at Merseyside Police are completely committed to putting the public first, preventing and detecting crime in Merseyside so people who live, work and visit here can feel safe.
“These reductions show the fruits of their efforts. But they are not a cause for celebration or complacency – for as long as we have people suffering at the hands of offenders in Merseyside, we will strive to keep pushing these numbers down further.
“Prevention is helping to change mindsets of those had been prepared to pick up a knife or firearm, or deal drugs, and education and other interventions are preventing crimes before enforcement is even necessary.
“We work closely with partners including the five local authorities, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, public health, education and third sector organisations to further reduce this type of behaviour in our communities in the longer term.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank officers and staff of Merseyside Police. Their commitment and dedication to the communities of Merseyside is clearly helping drive down crime on our streets."