Concern as crime up by 5pc (From Cotswold Journal)

Concern as crime up by 5pc

3:00pm Thursday 24th January 2013 in News By Freya Leng

CRIME has increased by five per cent in Moreton, according to new police figures.

The town has seen an increase in crimes from 59 to 62 in the last three months compared with the same period in 2011 – an increase of five per cent.

There has also been an increase in assaults with injury from five to eight but assaults without injury have dropped from six to two.

Shoplifting has gone up from four to six but other thefts have reduced from 16 to 11. Dwelling burglaries are down from five to two while burglaries in non-dwellings are down from four to two.

The Moreton Show office was also raided this month in what police say could be an “amateur” burglary.

Revealing the news at the last town council meeting, PC Lorna Cummins, of the Moreton community police team, said: “Some electrical items and a bit of cash were stolen. During the process there was quite a messy search. They tried the neighbouring office and tried to break into that as well.”

Councillor Rod Hooper said he was concerned by the latest figures. “I think it’s most worrying to get a five per cent increase especially as the police have been telling us they could manage from a higher rank,” he said.

“We have been cut down in the police force in the north Cotswolds. To get a five per cent increase in Moreton means there must be more increases elsewhere.

“I’m very concerned about it. It’s probably the time of year but it’s still because our police force is stretched.”

This is not the first time councillors have been concerned about policing in the area. Last year members voiced their concerns after community police officer Caroline Paxford was replaced by part-time officer Lorna Cummins, following her retirement.