HARLOW: Town is now "safer place to live" - figures show

3:29pm Thursday 17th July 2008

Comments (1)   Have your say »

HARLOW is now a safer place to live, according to latest Home Office statistics which show crime and disorder in the town is down by 25 per cent over the last three years.

The decrease in a ‘basket’ of ten specific crimes identified as affecting the largest number of people, exceeds the 18.5 per cent target set by the Government for 2005-2008.

The news has been welcomed by the Safer Harlow Partnership which has spearheaded the fight against crime in the town. The key organisations in the partnership include Harlow Council, Essex Police and the Essex Police Authority, Essex County Council, West Essex Primary Care Trust and Essex Fire and Rescue Service.

The Harlow figures reveal some dramatic decreases in seven out of the ten crimes listed as British Crime Survey indicators - personal theft (pick-pocketing/theft from handbags) was down 62 per cent; domestic burglary down 39 per cent; criminal damage down 34 per cent; wounding down 32 per cent; vehicle theft/taking without consent down by 24 per cent; bicycle theft down 22 per cent and theft from vehicles down 12 per cent.

Harlow Council leader Andrew Johnson said: “We’re delighted with these figures which overall have exceeded the tough target set by the Government and prove that we are winning the fight against crime in the area.

“The perception of crime in Harlow has always been greater than the actual level of crime and these figures show a strong downward trend, which should help boost levels of public confidence. The council will continue to support the Partnership in working with local residents to reduce crime even further and make Harlow and even safer place to live. “ Harlow Council chief executive and Safer Harlow Partnership chairman Malcolm Morley said: “The reduction in crime is a tribute to the work of the partners and also to the support and co-operation we have received from local residents.”

Harlow District Police Commander Chief Inspector Mike Martin said: "I’m very pleased with these fantastic results. This shows the evidence of the excellent partnership working which happens every day in Harlow.

“We have lots of voluntary agencies to thank for their support and most importantly; the strong local community sprit and the members who give up their valuable time to support all of us.

“We look to build on this fantastic improvement and continue to reflect the needs and opinions of all of our communities."

There was a 24 per cent increase in assault without injury, which is explained by a planned campaign by the partnership to intervene in disturbances before they got out of hand. There was also a ten per cent increase in vehicle interference and a six per cent increase in robbery of personal property.

Having successfully completed its three-year crime reduction target, the Safer Harlow Partnership has now set its sights on the next three years and has laid out its priorities for 2008-2011.

The new Partnership Plan will focus on several key areas including reducing alcohol related crime and disorder, crime against children and young people, anti-social behaviour and repeat offending.

The Plan also aims to tackle the fear and perception of crime, which is often disproportionate to the actual level of crime being committed.