Baggot Says Sectarian Crime Increasing

Speaking about the performance figures, Chief Constable Matt Baggott said: “Crime is down this financial year to date by 6.1% and the PSNI has the lowest overall crime figures compared to its most similar police services in the United Kingdom. “Over 600 additional officers have been assigned to frontline neighbourhood and response policing roles (since June 2009); this increase has exceeded the target set by the Board. The number of non-domestic violence with injury crimes has been on a downward trend for the last year (-11.9%), as has the number of non-domestic burglaries (-14.8%). “The number of people killed on our roads has halved in the last year. But one death is one too many and we will continue our high profile road policing operations and educational interventions including the Roadsafe Roadshows for those starting off on their motoring career and the Speed Awareness and Young Driver Courses for those detected speeding at the lower threshold. “Detection rates for racist and homophobic hate crimes have not met the target set by the Board. Dedicated Hate Incident and Minority Liaison Officers in each District will play a key role in improving performance in this area. Community Safety Branch are also reviewing the methods of hate crime reporting with a view to making it easier to report online or through a third party. “There has been a reduction in domestic burglaries (-6.6%) but we would like to see a greater reduction in this area. All Districts carried out a wide range of anti-burglary operations in the weeks before Christmas. Through Operation Seasons Greetings there were 44 arrests and 20 charges for burglary. Crime prevention operations will continue in geographic locations of repeat burglary. “There have been many policing achievements over the last year, but there are still tough challenges ahead. We will continue to listen to the community and focus on their experiences whether as victims of crime or neighbourhoods affected by crime. We do this against the backdrop of a severe terrorist threat. The Police Service of Northern Ireland is committed to providing the public with the personal, professional and protective policing service they deserve.”  added Chief Constable Baggott.]]>