Violent crime rises in town

Inspector Stuart McMillan told a meeting of the Shrewsbury Community and Police Consultative Group last night he could not explain the reason for the increase in violent crime. But he suggested it could be linked to domestic violence. Overall crime fell by more than 13 per cent.

The fall was recorded in the period of November 2005 to October 2006 compared to the same period a year before.

But violent crime rose from 1,216 incidents to 1,302. Detections, which include arrests, were up by more than 13 per cent.

Mr McMillan also looked at a two-month snapshot between September 1, 2005 to October 31, 2005 compared to the most recent statistics for the last two months which showed violent crime had increased from 194 to 219 incidences.

Mr McMillan said one of the possible reasons for the increase was the new way police dealt with domestic violence.

He said in the past police would try to separate a couple and find alternative accommodation for one partner. Now they are told to take positive action and have to justify it if they do not make an arrest, he said.

"Overall, crime in Shrewsbury and Atcham is not looking too bad. I would like to see us do better on violent crime. That seems to be the one area that has done worse that any others."

Mr McMillan said he would try to provide a break down of the violent crime incidents at the next meeting in January.

Meanwhile, the officer said he thought the move of some policemen and women to the Guildhall at Fran-kwell Quay was beneficial.

He said: "I think it will take time to get settled. I think it will be easier for the community support officers to get to their patches.

"We have only been in for, effectively, two weeks and we are settling in, but I'm looking forward to going on and improving," he added.

By Rebecca Lawrence