Statistics show fall in Watford's crime (From Watford Observer)
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Statistics show fall in Watford's crime
7:51pm Thursday 31st January 2013 in News
By Adam Binnie, Senior Reporter
Crime in Watford has fallen during the last 12 months, but the town is still one of the county’s worst performing areas.
The latest statistics were discussed at the borough council’s community safety partnership task group meeting this evening.
Chief Inspector Nick Caveney revealed the “headline” crimes, which include vehicle crime, theft, violent crime and domestic burglary had dropped by a third in the past 12 months.
However, the town was Hertfordshire’s worst performing area in theft from person, religious/racial hate crime, alcohol related crime, and anti-social behaviour.
In fact, other than “deliberate fire”, Watford did not appear in the county’s top five best performing areas for any crime.
Councillor Asif Khan asked: “If you look at the statistics Watford is the most violent crime riddled town in the county, what puts us at the bottom of the league tables?”
Chief inspector Caveney said: “This is just a snapshot of data; actually we are in a very, very strong position.
“Out serious acquisitive crime, which includes robbery, burglary, and theft of vehicle, has the best reduction across the county for the year to date.
“Our night time economy is slightly different to anywhere in the county and that is probably where the volume difference comes.
“It’s important to recognise that while we do measure ourselves against other areas, they have slight differences.”
Comments(11)
Mike Watford
says...
9:35am Fri 1 Feb 13
drunkenduck
says...
10:32am Fri 1 Feb 13
Mike Watford wrote:It's properly because Watford is the biggest and more populated town in Hertfordshire.
Watford has alot more visitors than other parts of Hertfordshire - whether it is for shopping, commuting, football matches or night's out, so this is bound to impact on 'crime rates' which are normally measured per thousand population.
Roy Stockdill
says...
11:40am Fri 1 Feb 13
How to "bend" crime statistics - one way is to bring in new offences, like so-called "religious/racial hate crimes", which I regard as a load of politically correct rubbish.
There have always been laws to address such offences in the past and it was completely unnecessary to burden the statute book with yet another new, invented "crime" just to appease the chattering classes and Guardian readers!
And BTW, shouldn't somebody tell the WO reporter that the word "behaviour" has a "u" in it? I am increasingly fed up with the Americanisation of the English language frequently appearing here.
garston tony
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12:24pm Fri 1 Feb 13
That Roy is why there is a new crime of religious/hate crime.The motive was based purely on the families religion and ethnicity
Roy Stockdill
says...
1:19pm Fri 1 Feb 13
So-called "hate crimes" were an invention of the previous Labour government to appease the politically correct brigade.
It's no secret here that I deplore and oppose the creeping Islamification of Britain in all its guises. Am I committing a "hate crime" in saying so? I am not suggesting that whatever happened to this family you speak of is acceptable, but surely some of us have a right to oppose religions, especially backward and medieval ones, by speaking out? Whatever happened to freedom of speech?
LSC
says...
3:22pm Sat 2 Feb 13
I thought The Public Order Act was the 'catch all' crime. The POA reminds me strongly of the old comedy sketch where a man is arrested for 'Wearing a loud shirt in a built up area' and 'Being in possession of an offensive wife'.
Roy Stockdill
says...
3:40pm Sat 2 Feb 13
And I can remember when loony feminists wanted to ban Benny Hill and also Les Dawson for jokes about his mother-in-law.
LSC
says...
4:24pm Sat 2 Feb 13
Very true, although of course the irony is that they were laughing AT the prejudice; that was the joke. But of course the PC brigade don't get that. White men said 'black man' in a comedy show so it must automatically be a 'bad thing'.
Similar thing with Alf Garnett; the joke was how stupid he was for being a racist, but they moaned about him too.
Roy Stockdill
says...
4:39pm Sat 2 Feb 13
I used to love Till Death Us Do Part, especially Alf's rants at his wife, the Silly Old Moo, and his Scouse Git of a son-in-law! If Alf was still around today I suppose he'd have been in the BNP which would have really given the PC lot something to squeal about.
garston tony
says...
3:34pm Mon 4 Feb 13
The family I mentioned were targetted specifically because of their religion and race. They werent targetted for material gain etc. but purely because they were Asian Muslims and that is a perfect example of why there is a need for a specific crime related to it. Just like there is a need for the crime of armed robbery to distinguish it from normal robbery or a mugging or purse snatching.
To be honest you're not very subtle and its quite obvious that this is about your own view on religion and race and not the actual crime itself
Mohandas says...
7:40am Fri 1 Feb 13
Another strategy soundbite from our PCC 'crime pays' as he wants to deter people from going to jail by charging them the cost of renting a cell just like in the good old Dickensian days. I see a great job opportunity for rent arrears and bailiffs as many will opt for the revolving doors out and in again. 'Well gov I got evicted from my house didn't I as I had to pay for my stay in the cell and ran out of dosh'. I'm now homeless.