Devon and Cornwall saw a slight increase in reported crime last year, but the area is still among the safest in both England and Wales.
Devon, Cornwall, and North Yorkshire are tied for second place with 59 offences per 1,000 people last year, with Wiltshire having the fewest crimes per 100,000 residents.
However, shoplifting has increased significantly in Devon and Cornwall as well as across the country.
Additionally, because it recently installed a new IT system and is unable to access the data, the force has been unable to provide statistics for certain types of crime.
However, data from the Office of National Statistics for 2023 indicates that shoplifting offences in the force area increased by 37% last year, from 5,583 in 2022 to 7,651 in 2023.
The number of these reported crimes increased proportionately across the country, reaching a record high for shoplifting since the implementation of police recording procedures in March 2003.
It’s been attributed to the ongoing crisis in living expenses.
Theft increased by 13% in Devon and Cornwall in 2023, to almost 25,000 from 22,000 the year before. “Theft from person” increased by 52%, though the number of these crimes is still less than 1,000.
While non-residential burglaries decreased by 28% to 1,456, residential burglaries increased by 25% to 2,102.
The two counties’ most common crime is still violence, with about 500 more violent offences committed last year, bringing the total to almost 47,000. From 5,561 sexual offences in 2022 to 5,785 last year, there was a slight increase.
Illegal driving caused 66% more deaths or serious injuries than it did in the previous year, from 39 to 65.
There were slightly fewer “stalking with harassment” offences than the previous year—just over 12,000—as well as fewer public order (7,384), drug (3,976), and criminal damage and arson (12,772) offences.
Since November 2022, Devon and Cornwall Police have not been able to provide information on offences involving the use of knives or other sharp objects, firearms, incidents involving domestic abuse, or those reported by Action Fraud due to the installation of a new IT system.
The force said that an increase in theft and other acquisitive crimes is one of the ways it is dealing with the fallout from the ongoing crisis in the cost of living.
“Although shoplifting offences have increased, our police area still has the third-lowest rate of this kind of crime nationwide,” they stated.
For seven different categories of crimes, including victim-based crime, residential burglary, all burglaries, theft offences, shoplifting, and bicycle theft, the Devon and Cornwall force is placed in the top three best performing forces. For vehicle offences, it is ranked in the top five.
“It’s always satisfying to see Devon and Cornwall near the top of the table, but we’re not complacent and we’re constantly striving to improve our service and improve public confidence,” said Dave Thorne, the temporary deputy chief constable.
“In the past year, we have addressed issues raised by locals by utilising the Op Loki model. The most recent phase, which was completed in Barnstaple last month, concentrated on drug use, antisocial behaviour, and maintaining the safety of our roads.
“To provide our residents and guests with a high-quality police service, we will keep collaborating with our communities and partners.”
Next week is the Ahea police and crime commissioner (PCC) elections. Liberal Democrat candidate Steve Lodge stated that while good results should be embraced, a low crime rate does not always equate to crimes solved.
“Trust is harmed by the 29% of burglaries that go unattended by our force’s police officers, which has increased by 24% annually. In order to tangibly increase public trust, I’m pleading with the government to adequately fund our police force and dispatch more officers and PCSOs into our neighbourhoods.
According to him, store owners are turning to hiring their own rangers and anti-social behaviour officers due to the police’s lack of action.
Daniel Steel, the PCC for the Labour Party, stated: “The Tories’ shoplifters’ charter decriminalised theft, so thefts under £200 are not thoroughly investigated.” A local retailer’s manager told me directly a few days ago when I was in Torquay about the daily ransacking of their store.
“Work will add 13,000 more PCSOs and community police officers to the beat to stop thefts before they happen.”
Alison Hernandez, the incumbent police and crime commissioner and a conservative candidate, stated that more businesses are now reporting crimes. “I am pleased about this, as we cannot get a clear picture without this,” Hernandez said.
If re-elected, she stated, “I want to be tough on retail crime.” She also applauded the government’s recent legislation that made assaulting a retail employee a separate crime.
Next Thursday sees local elections in Plymouth and Exeter as well as elections for police and crime commissioners in Devon, Cornwall, and the Isles of Scilly.
