Welsh Labour’s Secretary of State for Wales Paul Murphy has today welcomed official figures that show a cut in the level of crime being committed in Wales.

The ‘Crime in England and Wales 2007/08’ publication includes results from the British Crime Survey and crimes recorded by the police in Wales for the 12 months up to March 2008.

The figures show:
• Violence against the person in Wales is down eight per cent;
• Offences of criminal damage in Wales is down eight per cent;
• Offences against vehicles in Wales is down 16 per cent; and
• a potential saving in excess of £57 million from this reduction in crime in Wales

Welsh Labour’s Secretary of State for Wales PAUL MURPHY said:

“In Wales today, with a Labour government, fewer people than at any time in the last 10 years are suffering the effects of violent crime, of theft, and anti social behaviour.

“Due to the measures we as a Labour Government have introduced, in the last five years alone, Wales has seen an 18 per cent reduction in the number of offences being committed - almost 32,000 fewer crimes than in 2003/04.

“With Labour, there are now 1,000 more police officers in Wales than there were when we came to into office in 1997. There are nearly 700 Police Community Support Officers in Wales that are providing a real visible presence in our communities.

“We have introduced neighbourhood policing teams, putting the local bobby back on the beat by ensuring that every community in Wales has its own dedicated police officer.

“As a Government, we are determined to build on these successes and step up action on areas that still remain of concern, including youth crime and addressing public confidence.

“This Labour Government will continue to do all that it can to make Wales and Britain safer.