Christmas crime figures released (From Watford Observer)

Christmas crime figures released

12:14pm Friday 3rd February 2012 in News By Chris Hewett

Criminals stole from Watford shops on average more than twice a day in the months leading up to Christmas, police figures reveal.

A total of 271 incidents of theft from shops were recorded in the town by Hertfordshire Constabulary from September, when the statistics were first published, to December.

Despite an average of more than two incidents of shoplifting per day, neighbourhood inspector at the Shady Lane police station Diedre Dent believes her officers are tackling the problem.

She said: “Over 16 million people pass through The Harlequin centre alone in a year and this quantity of crime is not overly high. Having said that, one crime is too many and we work closely with businesses in the borough in order to prevent it.

“Our detection rate for shoplifting is very high and since April 2011, these crimes have reduced by over 18% compared to the same period the year before. This equates to almost 200 crimes and that’s because offenders are learning that Watford is not an easy target.

“I’d reassure our residents that all crime in Watford continues to fall and together with other agencies we will continue to make the area a safe and pleasant place to live in.”

The figures, published this week on government website police.uk, showed there were 123 recorded incidents of shop lifting in The Harlequin shopping centre and high street area.

Among the worst of the smaller shopping parades was Albert Road South, with 17 incidents, Watford Field Road, with 23 and Derby Road, with 28.

Shoplifting incidents recorded in Watford: September - 73 October - 45 November - 79 December - 74