Taking a closer look at crimes (From Malvern Gazette)

Taking a closer look at crimes

10:50pm Wednesday 22nd February 2012 in News By Tarik Al Rasheed

VIOLENT crime was committed in the centre of Malvern more than once every two days over the festive period, according to a relaunched crime mapping website.

Police.uk, which first went live in February 2011, has undergone a huge expansion and since February 1 users have been able to check crime levels in a range of new locations, including railway stations, supermarkets and parks.

According to the website, 17 instances of violent crime were recorded in the Priory ward during December.

The total number of crimes committed during the month was 115, with anti-social behaviour the most frequent offence, occurring 37 times.

Also recorded were eight instances of shoplifting, four of public disorder and weapons offences and 13 of criminal damage and arson.

Although the total number of crimes was up on the previous month, with only 103 committed in November, it was 20 per cent down on December 2010, when 144 crimes were recorded.

Meanwhile in the riverside town of Upton-upon-Severn, less than one crime a day was recorded in December.

The total of 22 crimes included six incidents of antisocial behaviour, five of criminal damage and arson, and three each of drugs, burglary and vehicle crime.

No incidents of violent crime were recorded.

Currently visitors to the site cannot access details of specific crimes, but from May the website is expected to provide details of each offence, the response and whether anyone was convicted.