The season of goodwill and less crime (From Knutsford Guardian)

The season of goodwill and less crime

7:10pm Monday 8th February 2010

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NEWLY released figures have shown that Knutsford crime dropped by nearly 50 per cent over the Christmas and New Year period.

In Knutsford, incidents of crime and anti-social behaviour dropped by 46 per cent compared to last year’s figures, with just 37 recorded in total.

Cheshire East Council also joined forces with the police and Cheshire Fire and Rescue to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour.

Officers from the authority joined regular police patrols, targeting alcohol-related violence, burglary, shoplifting and drink driving.

Sgt Andy Preece, from Knutsford Police station, said: “In the main, the public behaved during the period and that is what we expected.

“It’s to the credit of the publicans and the patrons that the season passed off without any great incident.”

Chief Inspector Peter Crowcroft added: “Our officers were on the streets in local neighbourhoods 24 hours a day, working to keep you, your family and your friends safe from crime, violence and drunk drivers.

“We know that a strong police presence makes a big difference to helping people feel safe and that regular patrols make a big difference. Uniformed officers also ventured into the town’s pubs and bars, offering support to licensees and dealing with anyone who threatened the safety of others and the peace of our neighbourhoods.”

Cheshire East deputy leader, Clr Brian Silvester, cabinet member with responsibility for safer and stronger communities, said: “This has been a very successful campaign for all concerned.

“The constant presence of Cheshire East Council community wardens, the police and fire and rescue sent out a clear message that crime and anti-social behaviour would not be tolerated in this area over the Christmas period.

“I would like to thank all those involved for their hard work during this time and I look forward to working with our partners on successful joint partnerships in the future.”

The fire service also reported a fairly quiet Christmas, despite it being a notorious time of year for accidents.

Alex Waller, Cheshire Fire and Rescue service group manager, added: “Historical data suggests that the number of people killed or seriously injured on the roads increases during the winter period so partners implemented a high impact road safety campaign.

“This involved partnerships with some public houses whereby designated drivers received safety advice and were able to claim free soft drinks; a series of driver engagement days and road safety road shows, school education visits, a drink/drug driving radio campaign, and high profile police enforcement stop checks across Cheshire East.”

Despite a fall in anti-social behaviour, burglaries have risen in the town with 23 being recorded over the period, compared to just eight last year.

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