The statistics reported that overall crime rose by 9.3 per cent in Devon,
Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly during the 12 months to 30 June 2022,
which is lower than the national average rise of 12.5 per cent.
Similar to previously released statistics, a rise in crime during this
period was expected as the figures are directly compared with the same
months in 2020 and 2021 in which the country was subjected to national and
regional COVID-19 lockdowns and saw a significant fall in crime.
Temporary Deputy Chief Constable Julie Fielding said: “The latest crime
statistics demonstrate the ongoing hard work of our officers, staff and
volunteers with our partners and communities to ensure that Devon and
Cornwall remain amongst the safest places to live. These latest crime
figures highlight the areas where we have seen an increase in crime so we
can make improvements and target our work to tackle crime going forward.
“There has been a rise of 21.8 per cent of reported sexual offences
compared to the same time the previous year. Nationally, policing saw
increases in the reporting of rape and sexual offences starting in March
2021. This coincided with the ending of lockdown and an increased focus on
Violence Against Women and Girls and our encouragement to victims to report
crimes. We are committed to preventing these offences, tackling offenders
and ensuring that victims are supported and that crimes are effectively
investigated.
“We are continuing to make improvements in bringing offenders to justice.
This work includes working with the national Operation Bluestone Soteria
team to review our response to crimes of rape and sexual offences to ensure
that we provide the best service and the highest standards of
investigation. Tackling serious violence, violence against women and girls
and sexual offences are all priorities for the Force.
“We continue to tackle drug offences with our work on Operation Scorpion
and remain determined to crackdown on county lines drug gangs and reduce
the crime and harm that can be caused by drugs.
Residential burglary offences in Devon and Cornwall have fallen by 1.1 per
cent in the last year, while nationally they rose by 0.5 per cent.
Deputy Chief Constable Julie Fielding continued: “We recognise how deeply
distressing it can be to be a victim of burglary and we attend and
investigate all reports of burglaries of homes.
“We remain absolutely committed to continuing to make improvements in all
areas of our work so we can keep our communities safe and tackle those
crimes that affect the public the most.”
Alison Hernandez, Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the
Isles of Scilly, said: “Recorded crime data is one of the tools I use to
understand the picture of offending in Devon and Cornwall. A rise in some
crime types, such as sexual offences where there has been greater public
awareness around the expectation to better protect women and girls, can
indicate that victims of crime have greater confidence in the police or are
more motivated to seek justice, particularly for offences that may have
happened to them as a child or young adult.
“I am pleased that Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly have some of the
lowest rates of neighbourhood crimes in the country but there is still much
work to be done to tackle violence, including that linked to the illegal
drug trade. Our force will be working with five other forces this winter on
Operation Scorpion, which will see users and dealers targeted in
significant enforcement activity across the South West, telling our
communities that our region is no place for drugs.
“The recent inspection into crime recording standards by His Majesty’s
Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services means there is a
greater focus on ensuring Devon and Cornwall Police’s crime data is as
accurate as it can be.”
Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly during the 12 months to 30 June 2022,
which is lower than the national average rise of 12.5 per cent.
Similar to previously released statistics, a rise in crime during this
period was expected as the figures are directly compared with the same
months in 2020 and 2021 in which the country was subjected to national and
regional COVID-19 lockdowns and saw a significant fall in crime.
Temporary Deputy Chief Constable Julie Fielding said: “The latest crime
statistics demonstrate the ongoing hard work of our officers, staff and
volunteers with our partners and communities to ensure that Devon and
Cornwall remain amongst the safest places to live. These latest crime
figures highlight the areas where we have seen an increase in crime so we
can make improvements and target our work to tackle crime going forward.
“There has been a rise of 21.8 per cent of reported sexual offences
compared to the same time the previous year. Nationally, policing saw
increases in the reporting of rape and sexual offences starting in March
2021. This coincided with the ending of lockdown and an increased focus on
Violence Against Women and Girls and our encouragement to victims to report
crimes. We are committed to preventing these offences, tackling offenders
and ensuring that victims are supported and that crimes are effectively
investigated.
“We are continuing to make improvements in bringing offenders to justice.
This work includes working with the national Operation Bluestone Soteria
team to review our response to crimes of rape and sexual offences to ensure
that we provide the best service and the highest standards of
investigation. Tackling serious violence, violence against women and girls
and sexual offences are all priorities for the Force.
“We continue to tackle drug offences with our work on Operation Scorpion
and remain determined to crackdown on county lines drug gangs and reduce
the crime and harm that can be caused by drugs.
Residential burglary offences in Devon and Cornwall have fallen by 1.1 per
cent in the last year, while nationally they rose by 0.5 per cent.
Deputy Chief Constable Julie Fielding continued: “We recognise how deeply
distressing it can be to be a victim of burglary and we attend and
investigate all reports of burglaries of homes.
“We remain absolutely committed to continuing to make improvements in all
areas of our work so we can keep our communities safe and tackle those
crimes that affect the public the most.”
Alison Hernandez, Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the
Isles of Scilly, said: “Recorded crime data is one of the tools I use to
understand the picture of offending in Devon and Cornwall. A rise in some
crime types, such as sexual offences where there has been greater public
awareness around the expectation to better protect women and girls, can
indicate that victims of crime have greater confidence in the police or are
more motivated to seek justice, particularly for offences that may have
happened to them as a child or young adult.
“I am pleased that Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly have some of the
lowest rates of neighbourhood crimes in the country but there is still much
work to be done to tackle violence, including that linked to the illegal
drug trade. Our force will be working with five other forces this winter on
Operation Scorpion, which will see users and dealers targeted in
significant enforcement activity across the South West, telling our
communities that our region is no place for drugs.
“The recent inspection into crime recording standards by His Majesty’s
Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services means there is a
greater focus on ensuring Devon and Cornwall Police’s crime data is as
accurate as it can be.”
