Police at the Olympic torch relay on the Isle of Wight. Picture by Peter Boam.
CRIME fell by more than five per cent on the Isle of Wight this summer according to police.
The number of reported crimes on the Isle of Wight went from 3,754 in 2011 to 3,554 in 2012, between April 1 and September 4, according to figures released today (Tuesday).
Across the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary area, crime fell by 16 per cent, while on the Isle of Wight alone, the figure was 5.33 per cent.
Chief constable Alex Marshall said: "I would like to thank each and every one of my police officers and staff for their hard work during the summer.
"We’ve had some great events in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight over the last few months that have attracted thousands of people to the region.
"This has truly been a summer to remember and I hope it’s one that has brought communities in Hampshire and Isle of Wight together in a spirit of celebration.
"We’ve been planning well in advance to ensure each event passed peacefully, that those attend could enjoy it without worrying about security, and that we were able to maintain an excellent service to the local community.
"The Olympic Torch Relay in particular was a great opportunity for my officers and staff to get involved in the celebrations, engage with the community and showcase our professionalism.
"The reduction in crime is testament to our successful planning and commitment to protecting the people we serve from those who would cause them harm."
According to Hampsire Police Authority, the force maintained a solved crime rate of 30 per cent.
Councillor Adrian Collett, police authority chair, said: "The continuing decrease in overall crime at a time when the force has policed a number of high profile local events and supplied mutual aid to the policing of the London 2012 Olympic Games is remarkable.
"The people of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are safer as a result of the hard work and ongoing commitment from the Constabulary.
"The authority has always placed a firm focus on cutting crime and I’m pleased to see that there has been no let up."
The Isle of Wight fall was the lowest in the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary area. See the table below for how crime fell in other areas.
Total crime by district over summer period (April 1 – September 4)
| District |
2011 |
2012 |
Change |
| Basingstoke & Deane |
4,774 |
3,670 |
-23.13% |
| Eastleigh |
4,084 |
3,172 |
-22.33% |
| Fareham |
5,021 |
4,347 |
-13.42% |
| Havant |
3,992 |
3,406 |
-14.68% |
| Isle of Wight |
3,754 |
3,554 |
-5.33% |
| New Forest |
4,338 |
3,733 |
-13.95% |
| Winchester & East Hants |
5,082 |
4,121 |
-18.91% |
| Portsmouth |
9,853 |
8,395 |
-14.80% |
| Hart & Rushmoor |
4,627 |
3,619 |
-21.79 |
| Southampton |
11,782 |
9,993 |
-15.18% |
| Andover |
1,654 |
1,490 |
-9.92% |