Police Officers say the success in reducing crime which was revealed in recently-released Home Office Crime Statistics is being maintained.
The Home Office Statistics covered the 12 months up to April 1st and in the following three months a total of 5332 crimes have been reported in East Cheshire, compared with 5630 in the same period last year. Serious acquisitive crimes, such as burglary and vehicle crime have shown some of the most marked decreases.
Superintendent Geraint Jones said, "This improvement is pleasing because they are the type of crimes which affect people's everyday lives. We are always aware of the fact that having your home broken into is a very distressing experience. Burglary is a high priority for us.
"One of the main reasons for the reduction is that many of the most prolific burglars in Cheshire Police Eastern Area are behind bars. We work hard to identify, arrest and gather evidence against them. Our Safer Homes assessments and other forms of crime prevention work and the efforts made through Neighbourhood Watch also help to keep the criminals out.
"The figures would be even better, though, if everyone accepted some responsibility for safeguarding his or her home. We have a situation where one in three of all burglaries is carried out through a door which has been left open. That is ridiculous.
"In the same way we have a specialist team of detectives who have brought about a reduction in the numbers of thefts from cars and vans. Again, a large proportion of the thefts involve vehicles which have been left unlocked or where items such as laptops, satnavs, ipods and mobile phones have been left in open view on seats and dashboards. That is making life easy for the criminal.
"Cheshire Police Eastern Area really is a safe place to live and we hope that people feel safe as well. We are working with partner agencies to maintain this downward trend in crime and a parallel pattern in anti social behaviour, which has also shown a year-on-year improvement.
"Cheshire Police Eastern Area really is a place where you can be safe and feel safe. We intend to keep it that way."
