Southern police have stepped up the number of foot patrols
over the past year.
Yesterday Police Minister Anne Tolley announced frontline
foot patrols rose by 70% over the past year, as part of a
focus towards crime prevention.
Nationwide, foot patrols increased from 40,918 in 2011 to
69,773, an increase of 28,855. Southern district figures show
foot patrols went from 1341 in 2011 to 4281 last year.
''Southern has been shifting its focus to intelligence-led
crime and crash reduction, meaning greater emphasis on
preventing crime and proactive policing,'' a spokeswoman
said.
''This includes staff walking the beat more often, leading to
greater visibility of police and reductions in offending.''
Mrs Tolley said having more officers on foot patrol helped
tackle and prevent crime, with staff being deployed
strategically.
Over the past two fiscal years, crime rates had dropped 5.9%
and 7% respectively, resulting in a 47,438 fewer crimes, Mrs
Tolley said.
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