Crimes in town centre decreasing

Recorded crime in a Leicestershire town has fallen by 40% over the past six years, police have said.

Official figures indicate the number of crimes in Hinckley dropped from 142 in the summer of 2003, to 85 for the same period this year.

Pc Clive Clarke said the success was achieved in part by the targeting of certain crimes.

The number of recorded crimes fell by 17% in the past year from 102 to 85, the police figures showed.

Assault and harassment fell by 41% compared to 2007, with 19 incidents between 14 July and 1 September 2008 compared to 32 incidents over the same period the year before.

Pc Clarke said the improvement was the result of partnership work between the police and Hinckley and Bosworth District Council and other groups such as Pubwatch.

The crimes monitored included common assault, public order, causing actual bodily harm as well as causing grievous bodily harm and other serious offences.

Insp Martyn Ball said police did not tolerate drink-related anti-social behaviour and measures were in place to combat it.

He said 15 people were also issued dispersal notices, which meant they had to leave the town centre because their behaviour was unacceptable.