Recession boosting crime - Newport's top cop (From South Wales Argus)

Recession boosting crime - Newport's top cop

1:04pm Monday 6th July 2009

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PRESENT economic conditions are beginning to have an impact on crime figures, Newport's top policeman told city councillors.

Superintendent Julian Knight said there was an across the board increase in crime of 2.9 per cent.

However, this was lower than in other parts of Gwent - there was a rise of 11.6 per cent in Blaenau Gwent, 9.7 per cent in Caerphilly and 11.4 per cent in Torfaen.

Only Monmouthshire was bucking the trend with a drop of 2.5 per cent.

Superintendent Knight said Newport had seen a 15 per cent rise in house burglaries, this equated to 39 houses being broken into during the current financial year.

He told councillors it was a growing concern and they were working with other agencies to focus on it.

Rises in shoplifting and other thefts were also recorded but vehicle crime was down significantly.

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