Crime up by over 50 per cent since last year

Crime in Kenilworth has risen by over 50 per cent compared with the same period last year, official figures show.

There were 286 recorded crimes and incidents of antisocial behaviour in the first three months of this year, 103 more than the 183 crimes recorded during the first three months of 2015, according to police figures. The rise is an increase of 56.2 per cent.

The most common crimes in the first three months of 2016 were 69 cases of antisocial behaviour, 51 incidents of violent crime, 32 cases of shoplifting and 29 burglaries.

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There were 12 more cases of antisocial behaviour in the same period last year, but cases of violent crime, shoplifting and burglary were less prevalent.

Warwick District Safer Neighbourhood inspector Daf Goddard said: “Taken in isolation, it is understandably easy to be alarmed by an increase in reported crime from the first three months of this year compared with last year.

“However, it should be noted that numbers of reported crimes yearly in Kenilworth have stayed around a similar level since 2011.

“These figures also show residents feel more confident in reporting incidents to us. At the start of 2016 residents raised their concerns about burglaries within a particular area of Kenilworth and shoplifting within the town centre.

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“We listened and two of our current Kenilworth Community Forum priorities are to focus the local Safer Neighbourhood Team’s attention towards these issues.

“As a result, domestic burglaries are currently showing a reduction compared to this time last year. Moving forward, the team will continue to target shoplifting proactively and offer crime prevention support to businesses.

“So far, four people have been arrested for theft offences in the town in the past two months alone.”

He also encouraged Kenilworth residents to attend the next Community Forum on Monday June 13 at 7pm in the Kenilworth Centre to voice concerns to police and vote for new policing priorities.

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