NEW figures from April to June this year compared with the same period last year revealed the 17 per cent decrease as the force continues its work to reduce personal robbery across the county.
The biggest decrease was in Rochford, with a drop of 75 per cent. Southend and Castle Point in the south of the county have also seen significant reductions – 37 per cent and 45 per cent respectively.
Epping Forest has seen a reduction of just over a third (36 per cent), while Chelmsford saw a 35 per cent reduction and Thurrock recorded a 45 per cent drop when compared to the same three months last year.
Combating high-harm crime like robbery is a priority for Essex Police with the force tackling it in several ways including high visibility patrols in hotspot areas and partnership working in local communities where crime prevention advice is shared to help them reduce their risk of becoming a victim.
The new figures cement a 10 per cent reduction in reports of personal robbery in the last 12 months, with 145 fewer offences compared to last year and a 20 per cent reduction compared to five years ago.
Superintendent Tim Tubbs, strategic lead for robbery, said: “Seeing a substantial fall in personal robbery across the county shows that our operations are working and our hard work to tackle this type of offending is having an impact.
“But I want to be very clear, one robbery is one too many. We will continue with our efforts to bring the numbers down.
“We are using tactics ranging from covert operations to carrying out visible patrols and empowering our communities by sharing crime prevention advice.
“Not only are we seeing fewer robberies being committed, but when an incident is reported to us, we are bringing more people before the courts.”
Last month (June) a man admitted robbing a teenage boy of his bike in Southend, having been arrested just 30 minutes after committing the offence.
Supt Tubbs added: “We understand the impact robbery can have.
“And while the risk of being impacted by this crime is very low, we know that is no comfort if you have been a victim and that is why we continue to drive forward with our work to tackle this type of offending.”
For more information and advice on keeping safe and reducing your risk of being a victim visit: Personal safety: how to stay safe | Essex Police
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