"In our lifetimes..."

 

We have launched a new campaign to reassure communities in Devon and Cornwall that the levels of crime are reducing across the region. 

Our nostalgic ‘In our lifetimes…’ campaign aims to address disproportionate perceptions of crime levels and build public confidence in policing by communicating our success in reducing crime across Devon & Cornwall.

Some of the key messages that we want to share with you are: 

• Devon & Cornwall has the 4^th lowest crime rate in England and Wales
• Crime in Devon & Cornwall has reduced by 17,628 incidents compared to 17 years ago
• Since 1997 burglary in Devon & Cornwall has gone down by 69%
•  The number of vehicles broken each year into has reduced by 67% since March 1995 compared to March 2009 

Cyril Perry, a local war veteran and Paignton resident (pictured above launching the campaign) has agreed to support the police’s campaign and is featured in some of the ‘In our lifetimes…’ posters. 

Cyril Perry said: “I am proud to support this campaign. The local police work extremely hard and do a great job which often goes unnoticed, but this campaign highlights the results of the hard work being done.” 

Devon and Cornwall Police Chief Constable Stephen Otter who is leading on the campaign said: "Devon and Cornwall has the 4^th lowest crime rate in England and Wales, but despite living in such a safe area, many people in our communities have a disproportionate fear of crime. 

“We know from listening to local people that they want to know just how safe their communities are. This campaign will do just that.” 

 A recent police survey undertaken by Devon and Cornwall Police found that most people perceive crime levels to have stayed the same in their local area over the last two years, where in fact there were 8,000 fewer incidents of crime in the region in the year to October 2009. 

To find out your local crime figures please visit www.maps.police.uk