Pandemic Fuels 10% Fall In Crime Across Harborough

Crime across the Harborough District fell by 10% last year, with the pandemic playing a part in the reduction.

The total number of crimes recorded was 4,324 – a drop of 491 on 2019.

The biggest fall was in shoplifting, which halved to 207 offences, as a result of many shops having to shut during periods of lockdown.

There were drops too in burglaries and theft – both down by 34% to 350 and 449 incidents respectively.

There was an increase in cases of ‘violence with injury’, up by 40% to 499 offences, although Leicestershire Police say that rise is partly down to a change in how such crimes are recorded.

Officers were parked on The Square at the time

The figures, from the Office for National Statistics, show the fall in overall crime in the Harborough District was the joint biggest drop in Leicestershire.

Across the county, crime fell by just over 5% last year,  with 88,573 offences recorded – 4,500 less than in 2019.

Assistant Chief Constable Julia Debenham said:

“We all know that life has been very different over the last year and there is no doubt that the pandemic has influenced significant changes in criminal behaviour.

“Steadfastly throughout, the police have carried out our duty to protect people and tackle criminality.

“As we open up the night time economy and have more contact with each other, I want to reassure you that our policing plans are in place to continue to help keep people safe.”

Overall crime rose slightly in Northamptonshire – with 855 more offences last year, taking the total number to just over 63,000.