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Crime rise in Kings Langley blamed on drug use (From Watford Observer)
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Crime rise in Kings Langley blamed on drug use
5:40pm Thursday 11th October 2012 in News
By Rebecca Perring, Reporter
A rise in crime figures in Kings Langley has been attributed to a spike in drug related offences in the village.
Calls from residents highlighting Barnes Lane and Langley Lodge Lane as areas where young people have been seen congregating and smoking cannabis were noted as contributing factors at a Kings Langley parish council meeting.
Between April and June there were no reports of drug use in the village and in July and August two drug related crimes were reported in each month.
However in September there was the highest number of drug related crimes in the village over the past six months, with five reports of drug-related crimes.
Ian Martin, neighbourhood safety team officer for the village, said: "Crime statistics in Kings Langley have been higher this year due to the increase in drug statistics.
"Residents have rung in with their concerns regarding youths using drugs in Barnes Lane, The Common and Langley Lodge Lange and we will do our best to patrol the area."
Overall crime statistics in the village have been noted as higher than usual because of the noted rise of drug crimes between January and September, where a total of 21 drug related crimes have been reported.
Chairman Councillor Bob McLean, said: "I was surprised when I heard the statistics.
"I don’t believe we have a problem with drugs in Kings Langley and statistics of crime are very low and that is how we would like to keep it.
"I do not think we have a problem and I hope we don’t have a problem with youths taking drugs in the village."
The crime statistics were revealed at a Kings Langley parish council meeting on Tuesday October 2.
Inspector George Holland, said: "I would like to reassure residents that the number of drug offences in Kings Langley since the start of the year are extremely low.
"However, we are not complacent and will take a proactive approach should any intelligence be reported suggesting there are issues with drugs in the area.
"If anyone does have any concerns I would encourage them to report it to us or Crimestoppers anonymously so we can act accordingly."
Comments(9)
OAC Bailiff
says...
6:22pm Thu 11 Oct 12
OAC Bailiff
says...
6:24pm Thu 11 Oct 12
LSC
says...
8:52pm Thu 11 Oct 12
Besides, drug users are criminals and repeat criminals tend to know the law. They will know a PCSO has no more power of arrest than Mrs Bloggs the baker's wife, do not require much knowledge of the law and don't need very high levels of fitness, so they are not in any fear of them as it would still require real police to arrive before they got in any trouble, if even then.
If anything, one might argue it is the rise of the PCSO and the decline of real police as a result that has caused a crime rise.
Aussie Hornet
says...
5:39am Fri 12 Oct 12
Reg Edit
says...
9:05am Fri 12 Oct 12
TRT wrote:I wouldn't have thought so. Now he has lost his car and can't go down to the place they smoke pot, the crime rate should fall as they won't get caught so often.
Not related to the PCSO car thing, is it?
Smoking pot is really petty crime and not of great concern to most people provided it does not lead to other crimes, which mostly it doesn't.
There will be a lot of places around the country that would wish they had the level of crime and crime wave being experienced by KL.
TRT
says...
9:34am Fri 12 Oct 12
Reg Edit wrote:I believe the statistics reported are those from reports of crime, not actual arrests or officer interventions.
TRT wrote:I wouldn't have thought so. Now he has lost his car and can't go down to the place they smoke pot, the crime rate should fall as they won't get caught so often.
Not related to the PCSO car thing, is it?
Smoking pot is really petty crime and not of great concern to most people provided it does not lead to other crimes, which mostly it doesn't.
There will be a lot of places around the country that would wish they had the level of crime and crime wave being experienced by KL.
garston tony
says...
11:18am Fri 12 Oct 12
TRT wrote:True TRT, but you can only go on what you're given.
Reg Edit wrote:I believe the statistics reported are those from reports of crime, not actual arrests or officer interventions.TRT wrote: Not related to the PCSO car thing, is it?I wouldn't have thought so. Now he has lost his car and can't go down to the place they smoke pot, the crime rate should fall as they won't get caught so often. Smoking pot is really petty crime and not of great concern to most people provided it does not lead to other crimes, which mostly it doesn't. There will be a lot of places around the country that would wish they had the level of crime and crime wave being experienced by KL.
If people dont report crimes and the spike of concern is a whopping 5 incidents then you cant help believe that Kings Langley isnt exactly a hot bed of criminality.
Saying that of course any and all crimes I believe need to be taken seriously etc
Nascot would you agree? Or are you too busy marking peoples grammar to contribute?
garston tony
says...
11:19am Fri 12 Oct 12
TRT says...
5:56pm Thu 11 Oct 12