Pubdate: Tue, 22 Apr 2008
Source: Oxford Mail (UK)
Copyright: 2008 Newsquest Media Group
Contact: http://www.oxfordmail.net/contactus/
Website: http://www.oxfordmail.net
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4170
Author: Matt Wilkinson

MORE VIOLENT CRIMINALS CAUGHT SAY POLICE

Drug And Violence Cases In The City Have Almost Doubled In The Past Two Years.

Police released figures last week showing crime fell by  almost 10 
per cent over 12 months, with record low  rates for burglary and car crime.

But further figures reveal that since 2005/06, the  amount of 
reported public order offences in Oxford has  increased by 80 per 
cent, while possession of class A  drugs has gone up by 86 per cent.

The rise has been described as "worrying", but police  say the sharp 
increase in violence and drug possession  is down to better policing.

In the past two years, the number of violent attacks  increased by 29 
per cent, and total violent crime went  up by 23 per cent.

Meanwhile, possession of cannabis rose by 38 per cent  and total 
drugs possession went up by 46 per cent.

DCI Chris Sharp, crime manager for Oxfordshire, said  increases in 
drug offences and violent crime was due to  officers being deployed 
in the right place at the right  time and would have previously gone 
unreported.

He said the rise in violent crime was due to more  police officers 
witnessing assaults, while drug  possession increases were down to 
more  stop-and-searches.

He added: "I don't think we have got more victims, but  people are 
being encouraged to report crime.

"Violent crime has not gone up; we are more proactive  about where we 
are targeting our resources.

"Violent crime and drugs are at the same level. It's  just we are 
getting smarter.

"If you get it right it looks like crime is going up,  but we are 
tackling missed opportunities from the  past."

However police were unable to supply conviction rates  to show if 
there had been a rise in the proportion of  people charged and 
sentenced for crimes.

Mohammed Altaf-Khan, city councillor portfolio-holder  for a safer 
city, said: "It's a concern that violence  and drug offences are 
going up. I'm sure the council  and police will be tackling this.

"It is worrying."
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom