POLICE CHIEF: Crime in Fenland is coming down and has made the district a much safer place in which to live

Police Stock.police officers (Image: Archant)

There were over 1,100 fewer crimes within Fenland last year which equates to around a 19 per cent reduction.

Day of action in Wisbech. Police raid a house in Southwell Road. (Image: Archant)

Our crime detection rate was over 35 per cent which is very high compared to other areas in the country and means more criminals are being brought to justice and more victims have a resolution to their crime experience.

It has also made Fenland a safer place.

This success has come about after we restructured into a dedicated team for the district and as such have been able to work closer and more effectively with partners within the local council, other agencies and the public alike.

This joint approach, targeted at areas that were suffering the greatest harm, and targeting those people causing the most harm, is one I intend to continue over next year.

Of course there is still a lot happening, crime and anti social behaviour, that means some people are still suffering at the hands of others. This is what motivates us.

Financial challenges to the police have possibly made us less visible and some may feel this means less policing.

But our focussed approach with the resources we have has proven to be effective in catching criminals.

The increasing recognition by many people that there is a limit to what the police can do with their current funding has led to a great deal of support from volunteers. For instance the Specials regularly patrol the streets of Fenland and take ownership of local problems.

The Community Safety Partnership has helped us tackle burglaries, vehicle crime, ASB, domestic violence and other crimes. This is a great example of how many agencies are working together to pool effort and resources in these difficult times.

Despite the continuing pressures I am looking forward to leading Fenland police into the next year.