HAMPSHIRE CRIME STATISTICS CONTINUE TO RISE

8.49.22am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 25th Jul 2007

Robbery, criminal damage and offences against vehicles have all risen in Hampshire in the last year, according to the latest Home Office crime statistics.

Commenting on the figures, Romsey MP Sandra Gidley said:

"Robbery has gone up by twelve percent and offences against vehicles have increased by eight percent in the last year."

"The eight percent rise in 'offences against vehicles' are of particular concern considering that this is against the trend, as nationally there has been a four percent drop in the last year."

"Offences against vehicles include theft of and from motor vehicles, aggravated vehicle taking, and interfering with a motor vehicle. Clearly these are serious problems and ones that the government needs to address."

"Along with the documented rise in violent crime highlighted in the 2007 Hampshire Health Profile (the profile showed that on average 35 people in 1000 are victims of violent crime in the city, compared to an English average of 19.8 people in 1000), citizens of Hampshire are experiencing an increase in various types of robbery and criminal damage."

"In January the government made a 40% cut in funding for Community Support Officers in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, further highlighting the fact that the government likes to talk tough on crime, but continually fails to deliver. Clearly when there is a rise in crime, there should not be cuts in officers. It is the public who pay the price of government cut backs."

Hannah Sladen

Office of Sandra Gidley MP

0207 219 5986

sladenh@parliament.uk