More to be done in battle against crime

The biggest reductions were recorded in anti-social behaviour, violence, theft, criminal damage and arson.

Overall, that means there were around 7,000 fewer crimes and many thousands fewer victims in the year ending in March, compared to the previous 12-month period.

It was the 24th successive year that crime has fallen in South Yorkshire.

The figures from April 1 2012 to March 31 this year show an increase in shoplifting (up by five per cent), house burglary (up by eight per cent) and robbery (up by three per cent).

While all types of theft are down by 3,785 crimes, the rise in shoplifting prompted recent targeting of retail crime.

Although violent crimes have fallen by 770 (a seven per cent drop), there has been a rise in sexual offences (up by 25 crimes) and a special unit has been set up to tackle rape offences.

South Yorkshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Shaun Wright, gave a cautious welcome to the stats.

He said: “I applaud South Yorkshire Police for achieving further reductions in crime, particularly given the severe and unfair budget cuts imposed upon them by government.

“But I am concerned that there are, on average, still more crimes happening here than in other, similar parts of the country.

“While those forces with which we are most closely compared have recorded an average of 15.7 crimes per 1,000 residents, in South Yorkshire that figure is nearly 17 — and that’s too high.”

Mr Wright (pictured) said he was particularly concerned that offences of shoplifting, burglary and sexual offences had increased in the last year.