Subscribe to trusted local news
In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever. By subscribing, you can help us get the story right.
- Subscription costs less than £1 a week with an annual plan.
Already a subscriber? Log in here.
05
Feb 2021
Rise in fraud and stalking reports as North Yorkshire crime rates fall
Crime across North Yorkshire fell by 9% in the year to September 2020, according to the latest data.
Using statistics for crimes reported to police forces across the country, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said 42,879 crimes were reported in the county up to September 2020, compared to 47,368 up to September 2019.
Among the most significant falls were burglary, which fell by 30%, theft from person, which dropped by 49%, and shoplifting, which dropped by 28%. Reports of sexual offences also declined by 16%.
However, there were increases in the number of violent crimes reported, with stalking and harassment increasing by 19% year on year. Fraud and crimes relating to computer misuse rose by 32% compared to the previous year.
Drug offences rose by 13%, there was an 18% rise in reports of possession of offensive weapons, and an increase of 12% in public order offences.
North Yorkshire Police Deputy Chief Constable Phil Cain said:
He said while the first lockdown had reduced many areas of crime, there was a significant rise in people being stopped by officers at some of the county's beauty spots last summer. Taking increased enforcement action led to the number of public order offences being higher than the previous year.
Low crime rate
North Yorkshire remains one of the lowest-crime areas in the country, according to the new statistics, falling sixth behind of Cumbria, Warwickshire, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Dyfed-Powys. Taking into account population size, the crime rate for North Yorkshire is the lowest in England and Wales.
The county showed the lowest crime statistics for the whole of Yorkshire in almost every area. However, the number of bicycle thefts was higher than South Yorkshire in the year to September 2020, and the rate of cycle thefts when factoring in population size was higher than both South and West Yorkshire.
The rate of fraud and computer crime offences in the county was also higher than in any other area of Yorkshire when taking into account population size.
Read more:
- Robbery, thefts and man with machete in three-hour Ripon crimewave
- Almost 90 arrests in three years as police tackle county lines drug crime
Nationally, the latest statistics show overall crime has fallen in England and Wales compared to the previous year. Helen Ross from the Office for National Statistics Centre for Crime and Justice said:
Mr Cain added:
0