Anti-social behaviour arrests down in Shropshire and Powys

A Freedom of Information request has revealed the number of arrests in both Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin and Powys has continued to fall, with reports made to police regarding issues of anti-social behaviour also falling in Shropshire over recent years.

In Shropshire, more than 1,000 arrests have been made between 2012 and 2016, with the figure last year at 127, compared to 316 in 2012.

In Telford & Wrekin the figure was considerably lower, 593 in five years, and last year stood at fewer than 100 throughout the year.

Warwickshire and West Mercia Police have praised officers for the fall in figures.

In 2012, almost 12,000 reports were made across the region, however the number has now fallen to below 9,000.

Superintendent Jason Wells said the force is delighted with the reduction in arrests and is continuing to work with agency partners.

He said: "I would like to praise the efforts of local policing teams in Shropshire on tackling anti-social-behaviour, where we have seen levels reduce by a quarter during the last five years.

"Officers from Safer Neighbourhood Teams and Special Constables are patrolling together working across beat areas, sharing information and providing community reassurance.

"Anti-social-behaviour can affect all communities and is unacceptable, and we work hard with our partner agencies to address these issues and will continue to do so.

"The recent figures show that West Mercia Police continue to try and effectively manage behaviours which can be considered anti-social, using a variety of tactics, of which arrest is just one option, working to address local problems and prevent further harm to local communities."

"Anyone who wishes to report issues of anti-social-behaviour can do so by calling us on 101 or by contacting Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."

Dyfed-Powys Police figures included arrests for breach of the piece, anti-social behaviour, drunk and disorderly, affray, public order offences and violent disorder in the past five years.

In 2012, 1,074 arrests were made for those offences, and by 2014 the figure was down to 863.

Last year just 712 arrests were made in the region for the offences.

Chief Inspector Steve Thomas said the reduction in figures has come from increasing patrols in anti-social behaviour hotspots across the county.

He added: "We are pleased to see a decrease in figures relating to arrests over the past five years.

“We can attribute this decrease to high visibility patrols in antisocial behaviour hotspots across the force. These patrols have been targeted by neighbourhoods and areas affected during the daytime and by the night time economy.

“Antisocial behaviour can make people’s lives miserable, and we are committed to doing all we can to stamp it out.

“Protecting vulnerable individuals and communities from antisocial behaviour is a Dyfed-Powys Police priority and supports both the Policing and Crime Plan and the Chief Constable’s priorities.”

In a report back in March from Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary into policing levels in England and Wales, Dyfed Powys Police were judged to have done well in preventing crime and tackle anti-social behaviour.

They were also said to respond well to serious and organised crime.

However the inspectorate told the force it must improve how it keeps people safe and reduces crime.

It raised concerns about its investigation standards and said there were "weaknesses" in how it supports and safeguards vulnerable people.