Cheshire Constabulary has seen the highest reduction rate in homicides in the UK

Cheshire Constabulary has seen the highest reduction rate in homicides in the UK and has the lowest rate of murder in the country, figures released by the Office of National Statistics have revealed today (21 July).

Chief Constable Mark Roberts said, “Cheshire is a safe county, and these latest statistics highlight this, particularly in the most serious of crimes.”

The data, which compares crime figures from April 2020 to March 2021 to April 2021 to March 2022, shows that the force has seen a reduction in homicide to (-81.8 per cent) – performing well above the national average for England and Wales at (25.2 per cent).

All police forces in England and Wales saw an overall increase in crime but Cheshire Constabulary’s 8 per cent increase is significantly less its North West neighbours and the national average of 15.7 per cent.

The figures reveal that the force has seen reduction a 5.3 per cent reduction in the number of burglaries and a 19.7 per cent reduction in the number of drugs offences.

In line with national statistics, Cheshire has seen an increase in reports of sexual offences (29.2 per cent), with reports of rape also increasing by 21.1 per cent.

Chief Constable Roberts added: “The national increase in sexual offences is concerning but it is encouraging that people are more confident than ever to come forward and make reports so that we can support them and bring offenders to justice. 

“Whilst there is more to be done, Cheshire is one of the best performing forces in the country for investigating and charging offenders in cases of serious sexual offences.”

This is supported by figures released earlier this year as part of the Government’s local criminal justice scorecards which showed that Cheshire is one of the best performing forces in the country for securing charges in serious sexual offence cases.

Chief Constable Mark Roberts concluded: “Our officers and staff work day in and out to ensure that Cheshire is a safe place to live, work and visit - this is evident in the figures released today.

“Our homicide rates are the best in the country and the most recent figures also show that we have the highest homicide charge rate nationally.

“Although we have seen a slight increase on reported crime, the force is outperforming national averages and its neighbours – but we are not finished yet.

“We will keep pushing, looking for those intent on coming into Cheshire to commit crime and ensuring that they feel the full force of the law against them, making our area the most hostile place for criminals to operate.”