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Thanet's crime figures highest in Kent, ahead of Dartford and Medway

By: Connor Dunn

Published: 11:15, 02 March 2016

Crime rates in Thanet are the highest in Kent.

For every 1,000 people living in Thanet 82 crimes were committed in 2015.

This outstripped Dartford, which had the second highest rate at 78.1, and Medway with 70.3 but although the Isle remained at the top of the overall crime rates the figure has fallen since 2014 when it stood at 91 crimes for every 1,000 people.

Table showing total recorded crime per 1,000 people in each Kent area

The figures were published by the Dartford and Gravesham Community Safety Partnership as part of their Community Safety Strategic Assessment, an action plan to tackle issues in a co-ordinated approach with emergency services.

South Thanet MP Craig Mackinlay said: “It is very troubling that Thanet District Council do not publish a similar community safety assessment.

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“Without good local data we are at a disadvantage in being able to drill down to problems, and solutions thereon.

“There are some positives in what is a gloomy picture: Total recorded crime in Thanet has fallen but it still remains higher than Dartford and Medway.

“There is no substance misuse data which is my area of interest as this can underpin analysis of certain types of crime.”

South Thanet MP Craig Mackinlay is "delighted" with EU referendum result

The data covers October 1, 2014 to September 30, 2015.

The data also shows that although anti-social behaviour (ASB) instances have fallen since last year, the Isle is still a long way off other areas of Kent.

Thanet had 39.3 incidents of ASB for every 1,000 people. Medway again came in second in the table but at nearly seven incidents less per 1,000 people.

The data further showed that although anti-social behaviour (ASB) instances has decreased since last year, the Isle is still a long way off other areas of Kent.

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Thanet had 39.3 incidents of ASB for every 1,000 people living in the area, Medway again came in second in the table but at nearly seven incidents less per 1,000 people.

Cabinet member for community services Cllr Lin Fairbrass

Cabinet member for community services Cllr Lin Fairbrass said: “Overall Thanet is seeing a reduction in crime.

“The initial review of data for Thanet shows a positive reduction in all crime for 2015 of 4.9% compared with 2014.

“Thanet does face additional and well-documented challenges compared with some of its neighbouring areas in Kent, particularly around deprivation and vulnerability, however by working together with Kent Police, the County Council and all of the organisations involved in Thanet’s Community Safety Partnership, we’re seeing a move in the right direction.

“I’d like to reassure residents that by working together, the Community Safety Partnership is continuing to do all it can to help reduce crime, disorder and reoffending in Thanet...” Cllr Lin Fairbrass

“This week cabinet will be considering the new plan for 2016-17 which prioritises reducing offending and re-offending, safeguarding our most vulnerable people and improving community confidence and agency collaboration.

“I’d like to reassure residents that by working together, the Community Safety Partnership is continuing to do all it can to help reduce crime, disorder and reoffending in Thanet.”

Although some levels of crime are seeing a reduction, the number of road traffic collisions whereby people were killed or seriously injured has been soaring, in 2012 to 2013 the incident rate was at 35 as opposed to the last year where 53 serious collision were recorded.

The data also showed the height of domestic abuse levels across the Isle.

For every 1,000 people in Thanet 24.7 domestic abuse incidents were recorded which again the highest in Kent, compared to Medway who were second in the chart at 20.5 and the Kent-wide average at 16.3.

In November the Thanet Extra reported that violent crime rates on the Isle were also the highest in Kent after figures were released by Public Health England.

This statistic has not changed in the latest report as 29.1 violent crimes per 1,000 people were recorded in Thanet during the last year, again compared to Medway which had the second highest rate of violent crime recorded at 23.2 per 1,000.

Chief Inspector Sharon Adley

Thanet District Commander Ch Insp Sharon Adley said: “I’m pleased to say crime in Thanet is down overall and I hope residents feel reassured that Kent Police is committed to keeping them safe.

“The increase in recorded incidents of violent crime and domestic abuse is in line with increases in our county-wide figures.

“Last year Kent Police, along with its partners, ran a high profile domestic abuse campaign called ‘Whoever you are, you’re not alone’. This improved public awareness of a sensitive but important issue, which often occurs behind closed doors, and has led to an increase in reports of domestic abuse.

“Although every report of violent crime is treated seriously by Kent Police, over half of all violence against the person reported in Kent is violence without injury and just three per cent of violent crime is classed as the most serious.

"Our focus remains on putting victims at the heart of everything we do. If people have concerns about such incidents in their street, please report it..." Chief Inspector Sharon Adley

“Improved crime recording accuracy, recognised by the HMIC as being 96 per cent accurate, continues to impact on figures, too.

“The difference in this year’s number of collisions compared to last year’s is relatively small and Kent Police continues to play an active part in supporting casualty reduction initiatives.

“As human error remains a factor in 95 per cent of all collisions we would remind everyone they have their part to play regarding public safety on the roads.

“The number of anti-social behaviour incidents has fallen in Thanet.

“We recognise it can be detrimental to a community and our focus remains on putting victims at the heart of everything we do. If people have concerns about such incidents in their street, please report it so we can continue to build on the hard work already done and take appropriate action.

“By working with our partner agencies, we can continue to provide a first class service to the people who visit, work, or live in Thanet.”

Image of yob breaking into car. Mock-up library photo

Mr Mackinlay added: “It is difficult to match like with like on domestic abuse crime as it has for too long been a ‘hidden crime’, it was probably always there, but with victims unwilling to come forward.

“East Kent is well served by domestic abuse services, better than the rest of Kent because of the work and support available through Oasis Domestic Abuse Service.

“With violent crime, the only brightness for Thanet is that the rate of rise is lower than most anywhere else.

“As ever, if localised data were available, I am sure we would find highest peaks in certain wards; if these were stripped out, general Thanet statistics would, I’m sure, be similar to other Kent norms."

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