Crime in Cannock Chase reaches two-year high
Crime across Cannock Chase has soared to its highest level in two years, latest figures show.
Increases in theft, criminal damage, violently-inflicted injuries and public disorder are behind the rise.
Anti-social behaviour has also reached its peak with more than 30 reports made to police a day, according to police figures for August. These were mainly recorded as ‘rowdy and inconsiderate behaviour’.
The data reveals there were 693 crimes recorded in the district in the month – a rise of 127 from July and the highest number in any month over the last two years.
A sharp rise in theft has contributed to the overall increase with a total of 197 incidents in August – more than three a day.
That figure has risen since May, when there were 99 reports.
Meanwhile, the number of cases logged as ‘less serious violent crime with injury’ soared to 92 cases in August from 74 in July and 66 in June. Criminal damage reports also rose to 96 from 68 in July.
Public disorder cases increased to 41 in August from 21 in July.
Anti-social behaviour, which is logged separately, increased to 322 reports in the month, with ‘rowdy and inconsiderate behaviour’ accounting for 241 incidents.
Sarah Wainwright, local policing team commander for the area, said: “We have experienced high demand across the LPT and unfortunately have seen an increases in certain crime types.
“However, we have had reductions in other areas. Whilst dealing with violent crime and theft matters remains a challenge, we have seen domestic burglaries fall in number due to some significant arrests.
“We continue to work with our community safety partners to tackle threat risk and harm in our communities.”
Councillor Carl Bennett , crime and partnerships boss on Cannock Chase District Council, said: “All increases in crime are to be deprecated.
“The police are pulling in all directions to arrest the situation. It is a difficult problem. One of the issues we have got is that we are close to the motorway and we get people places like Liverpool and Manchester coming here to deal drugs.
“We are not helped by the reductions in Government funding to police. We have got our particular problems like any district, which are being addressed.”
