How Much Crime is there in Helston?

Statistics suggest that crime is on the way down in Helston and Cornwall.  Comparing overall crime levels form the same three month (July, August, September) period in 2010 and 2009, crime is down by 6.3%, 2

Online Stats

With the local police force is attempting to increase its transparency, local crime figures can be found online on a ‘maps’ section of the police website (click here).  As well as providing a broad overview, the clever site also gives more detailed stats about different kinds of crime, providing figures as well as a colour coded indicator as to whether the area is: low, below average, average, above average or high.

Helston & Cornwall – ‘Distinctly Average’

Burglary – Average: Up 5.9% from 2009

Robbery – Average – No change from 2009

Vehicles – Low – Down 14.2% from 2009

Violence – Average – Up 4.3% from last 2009

Anti-Social Behaviour – Average – Down 12.3% from 2009

Local View

We asked local people what they thought of the figures, and it would seem that most people are not that surprised at the ‘average’ label.  The majority of those we spoke to seemed most surprised at the size of the drop in vehicle crime in county figures, especially given the reprisals by Falmouth & Penryn residents on student cars that take their spaces.

Our friends on Twitter were mostly very positive about crime levels in Helston (check the group here), with general perception that there were minimal low level issues.  This appears to be confirmed by the helstonpeople crime discussion board, which focuses on high profile isolated incidents.

@cernyw - @truropeople Helston and Truro least crime. Newquay and Bodmin worst.

Liam Nicholls: “To be honest, I would’ve thought that Cornwall would be below average.  I’ve noticed a change in kids on street corners, but not that much, although next to cities like Plymouth* I would’ve thought we were  very low.”

*(If you check the stats, Plymouth is above average, coated in a burnt orange next to our washed out yellow of average-ness).

Have your say.

Do your experiences match the data?  Does it feel like crime is down in the area from last year?  What should the police be focussing on?