Police chief 'proud' as crime at ten year low

Published 2 Dec 2009 16:32 2 Comments

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By Jennifer Black

New figures that reveal crime rates are at their lowest in ten years have been welcomed by police bosses and local politicians.

In the last year alone figures have fallen by a fifth across the Renfrewshire area.

Crime rates in the 'KB' division, which includes Johnstone, Renfrew, Erskine and the surrounding villages, have fallen by 17.2 percent.

However the police have vowed not to stop their fight against crime, despite figures being at their lowest for a decade.

Divisional Commander of Strathclyde Police Chief superintendent Paul Main explained that he is very proud of his staff but the hard work goes on.

He said: "While violence is at a low level it is still too high and we are not complacent. This focus will continue."

The police will persist to search people in 'hotspot' areas and be as visible as possible in the hope of deterring violent crime or anti-social behaviour.

Since April the police have increased their stop searches by 46.2 per cent and there has been a noted decline in the number of serious assaults and robberies.

Paul added: "I am proud of the hard work of local officers and staff in contributing to these very positive results. There has been an incredible amount of support for officers from the Renfrewshire Council wardens and the local community.

"I hope everyone in Renfrewshire is reassured by these results and I give them my assurance that we will continue our efforts in reducing violence and anti-social behaviour.

"I would like to wish all communities of Renfrewshire to have fun and stay safe this festive season in the knowledge that Renfrewshire has never been safer."

Councillor Brian Lawson, Renfrewshire Council's Community Safety spokesman is pleased that the figures show an improvement in the area. He said: "In 2008 we agreed a three-year plan to make Renfrewshire a safer place to live, work and visit and these results show that one year in, we are having an impact."

Johnstone councillor and Labour leader, Iain McMillan, also welcomed the figures but added that there is still work to be done. He said: "It is good news that reported crime is decreasing.

"A number of agencies, including the council, have been working towards this for a number of years.

"Everybody, all the partners, have been working hard and that has to be welcome but at the same time a lot of work has to be done in reducing the fear of crime."

Bill Perrie, councillor for Renfrew North, thinks the figures are a result of hard work by the police.

He added: "I'm hoping that these figures reassure people that crime rates are going down.

"There is always work to be done and the council will support them as much as possible so that they can continue to do that.

"It's encouraging for the cops on the streets to know that their hard work is paying off."

This article appeared in The Gazette 02 Dec 09

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neil mehann
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Dec 16, 11:09
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yes the crime rate is at it's lowest however there is still violence occuring throughout renfrewshire so therefore i beleive there could be more police patrolling these areas that are badly affected by crime.

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Max B Gold
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Feb 11, 13:47
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You would never have guessed that crime was falling if this publication is anything to go by. Keep stirring up the fear.

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