Five year crime low in Blackpool

3:10pm Friday 18th July 2008

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Crime in Blackpool is at its lowest level for nearly five years after it met tough Government targets set in 2003.

As part of the first stage of the Public Service Agreement (PSA), Blackpool was challenged to reduce crime by 16 per cent for this year’s British Crime Survey.

That target was met with crime in the resort falling by 17.6 per cent over that period, despite an increase in some areas, the Citizen reported just last week a spate of recent knife crimes in the town.

Coun Tony Williams, chair for BSafe Blackpool, said: “When we were first informed of our targets I have to say we were a little overwhelmed at the size of the task ahead of us.

Many people said that they were unrealistic and that we would not meet the target or even come close, so this really is fantastic news.”

The biggest reductions have seen vehicle crime fall by 43 per cent, with burglaries from a property down 36 per cent and all robbery down 24 per cent.

Coun Williams added: “I cannot express how pleased we are and how proud I am of everyone that has been involved “I want to recognise the people of Blackpool who have helped to reduce crime, conscientious residents who have taken crime reducing steps, such as the introduction of alley gates and adopting the No Cold Calling zones, are equally responsible for making their town a better place to live.

“Having said that, we cannot be complacent. We have not removed crime completely and I know that is what the people of Blackpool really want.”

Chief Superintendent Russ Weaver, of Blackpool Police, said: “Some recorded categories of crime have increased very slightly, this is due to positive work we have done to encourage people to come forward and report what has happened to them when they might have felt less confident to do so in the past.”