Crime rate reduces

CLEVEDON’S crime rate has reduced by 15 per cent compared with one year ago.

The figure was revealed at a meeting of Partners and Communities Together (PACT) on February 5, when PC Matt Christie gave a report on offences committed in the town.

He revealed the number of antisocial behaviour incidents reported had gone down by 22 per cent, meaning the police team has received 228 fewer calls on the issue in the past 12 months compared to the previous period.

This is believed to be thanks to a number of ASBOs and antisocial behaviour contracts implemented by the police to curb the offences of some of the worst culprits.

The PCSOs and PCs have also been working hard to engage with the town’s youths in the hope of discouraging them from criminal behaviour.

However, despite the overall decline in crime reports, a spate of burglaries in the Walton area has been the most recent concern for police. As a result, the beat team has increased patrols in the area between 5-11pm, when most of the offences have taken place.

Cold callers are also of concern to officers and PCSO Caroline Harris is currently in the process of setting up No Cold Calling Zones in some of the roads being targeted by salesmen as well as people intent on committing distraction burglaries.