TIM DREW: Neighbourhood Watch more important than ever

Overall, total recorded crime is up 14 per cent and the figures from 44 forces show robberies up by 29 per cent, sex offences 23 per cent, knife-related crime one per cent, and violent crime 20 per cent.

The latest recorded crime figures also show there were 261,915 domestic burglaries in the year to September 2017 – a rise of 32 per cent. However, it is important to note that these levels are nowhere near the levels seen in the 1990s when crime peaked. Indeed, figures from the separate Crime Survey of England and Wales – which are based on people’s experiences – suggest that crime continues to fall.

Jayne Pascoe, strategic partnerships director for Neighbourhood Watch, said: “The recorded figures reflect what we’ve seen here at Neighbourhood Watch with more people seeking our advice on setting up a scheme in their area. So now, more than ever, Neighbourhood Watch is an important way in which people can take an active role in protecting their homes. To prevent burglary, the most important thing you can do is make your home look as though there’s someone there at all times, so fit good quality window and door locks and always leave a light on when you’re out for the evening.”

Mark Bangs, deputy head of crime statistics and analysis at ONS, said: “While overall levels of violent crime were not increasing, there is evidence of rises having occurred in some of the low incidence but more harmful categories, such as knife and gun crime. The first year-on-year comparisons from new estimates of fraud – one of the most frequently occurring crimes – indicate that fewer incidents were experienced by the general population compared with the previous year.”

• The Tarring Community Forum will meet on Tuesday (February 13) at 7pm at the West Worthing Baptist Church Centre, South Street, Tarring.

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