Crime levels in the High Peak and Derbyshire Dales have fallen for the eighth year running.

Overall figures show that there were 880 fewer victims of crime in 2010/11 compared to the previous year, with the total number of recorded crimes for the area (referred to by the police as B Division) reducing by more than 10 per cent.

The end of year statistics also show that domestic burglary has reduced by 20 per cent, vehicle crime has reduced by 27 per cent and criminal damage by 20 per cent. Anti-social behaviour incidents were reduced by six percent and violent crime has reduced by four percent.

There has also been a rise in the positive outcome rate for the division from 31 per cent in 2009/10 to 35 per cent in 2010/11. This includes sanction detections and Restorative Justice resolutions, and represents those crimes where an offender has been identified and the crime solved to the satisfaction of the victim.

Chief Superintendent Peter Lewis, who is responsible for policing in the High Peak and Derbyshire Dales said: “We are extremely pleased that crime levels across the High Peak and Derbyshire Dales reflect the force wide trend of eight consecutive years of reduction and that there have been 880 fewer victims of crime during the past year.

“The achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our local officers, our links with partnership agencies and the public for their support, especially our Key Individuals, Neighbourhood and other watch members, for their contribution.

“We will look to build upon these reductions and are committed to keeping our communities safe over the next twelve months.”

Buxton Section, which is headed by Inspector Martin Coey, not only covers the main towns of Buxton, Chapel-en-le Frith and Whaley Bridge, but also the outlying villages of Chinley, Buxworth, Furness Vale, Dove Holes, Peak Dale, Smalldale, Wormhill, Sterndale Moor and other rural areas.

The section also has responsibility for policing parts of the Hope Valley including Castleton, Edale and Bamford.

Overall there have been 420 fewer victims of crime during the 2010/11 period, and a reduction in overall crime of 15 per cent.

There has been a 33 per cent reduction in criminal damage, burglary (both dwelling and non-dwelling) has seen a reduction of 26 per cent and vehicle crime is down by nine percent.

Inspector Coey said: “Together with the reductions in crime, we have also succeeded in increasing the number of positive outcomes, with an overall increase in detections of almost 10 per cent during the year. The number of incidents relating to anti-social behaviour in the area has also reduced by 140 on the 2009/10 figure.

“The figures, however, do not give a full picture of all the good work which is carried out. Spending time with victims, protecting the vulnerable and providing a highly visible police presence cannot be measured, but they are what being an officer is all about.”

Further information

Here is a breakdown of the crime figures for Buxton, Chapel-en-le-Frith and Whaley Bridge area (Central Section):

Overall crime
15.1 per cent reduction
420 fewer victims
2010/11: 2,367 recorded crimes
2009/10: 2,787

Domestic burglary
25.6 per cent reduction
30 fewer victims
2010/11: 87
2009/10: 117

Vehicle crime
9.3 per cent reduction
21 fewer victims
2010/11: 206
2009/11: 227

Criminal damage
33.6 per cent reduction
222 fewer victims
2010/11: 439
2009/10: 661

Anti-social behaviour
5.5 per cent reduction
140 fewer complaints
2010/11: 2403
2009/10: 2543

Violent crime
5.7 per cent reduction
38 fewer victims
2010/11: 632
2009/10: 670

Positive outcomes
9.9 per cent rise
2010/11: 39 per cent of crimes resolved with a positive outcome
2009/10: 29.1 per cent

Anti-social behaviour

Anti-social behaviour incidents refer to:

• street drinking
• begging/vagrancy
• abandoned vehicles (not stolen)
 nuisance motorists
• littering
• nuisance neighbours
• rowdy or inconsiderate behaviour
• hoax calls to emergency services
• nuisance involving animals (e.g. dog barking)
• firework related nuisance
• trespass

Restorative Justice

Restorative Justice was launched in April 1, 2009 and allows crimes to be dealt with in a way that achieves a positive outcome in accordance with the victims’ wishes without the case going through the court process.

The crime is recorded as usual but dealt with in a more proportionate way.

Some form of remorse, apology, reparation or compensation by the offender is required for restorative justice to take place. This could include being given words of advice, giving an apology, completing reparation work or compensating the victim.

Crimes which can be dealt with in this way include criminal damage, minor assaults and minor theft.