THE number of victims of crime in Fenland has fallen during the past year.

THE number of victims of crime in Fenland has fallen during the past year.

Cambridgeshire Police’s annual report revealed there were 518 fewer victims in its central division between June 2009 and June 2010.

Sixty-seven fewer households suffered a burglary and criminal damage incidents were reduced by 372 after police secured “significant custodial sentences throughout the year”.

Chief Supt Mark Hodgson said his officers were “rightly proud” of their achievements. He said the secret to the success was to target “known criminals and our most prolific offenders”.

He said officers had looked to “divert them from criminal activity and, failing that, focus our pro-active direction on them”.

Chief Supt Hodgson said: “The division worked hard with our communities to combat anti-social behaviour.”

In particular he praised Operation Luton, an anti-burglary campaign in Wisbech, and the introduction of drinking banning orders after mugshots of persistent offenders were plastered over Fenland pubs and night clubs for all to see.

He also said officers secured many anti-social behaviour closure orders to protect the public.

The result was a 30.1 per cent crime detection rate and public approval rating of 62.4 per cent.

Retiring Chief Constable Julie Spence said she inherited a “failing force” five years ago, but that latest figures are the result of a “sea change in our approach”.

Mrs Spence, who stands down in September, said: “The biggest challenge now facing the force is funding. For the foreseeable future my successor and top management team will be forced to wrestle with reduced budgets and finding ways of working even more effectively and efficiently.”