BASILDON'S senior police officer has championed the successes of his team in reducing violent crime and anti-social behaviour in the town.

District Commander Chief Inspector Dan McHugh was speaking about recent preventative projects in the area and the release of recent statistics.

"Violent crime down, ASB down and 1638 less victims of crime: tackling violent crime is working in Basildon," says CI McHugh.

He continued: "Our job is to identify and catch criminals, tackle violent crime and safeguard the most vulnerable people in our community.

"It's not always easy, but in the last 12 months we've focussed on the most violent crimes through proactivity, targeted operations and hard work, and we're seeing the fruits of our labour.

CI Dan McHugh

"In the last 12 months, there were 1,638 less crimes across Basildon, that's 1638 less victims.

"Across the force, Essex Police saw a 7.3% reduction in overall crime, but here in Basildon, we saw an above average reduction rate of 8.2%.

"That's testament to my hardworking officers who have focussed on the crimes that potentially result in the most threat, harm, or risk to our communities, to ensure intelligence-led policing activities prevent and detect crime and reduce that risk.

"We'll continue to work hard to build on the successes of the last 12 months and we'll continue to work with our partners to achieve the outcomes we need to keep our residents, businesses and visitors safe."

Newly released figures in the 12 months to the end of April 2024, indicate Basildon has seen a reduction in violent crime, including:

· Violence against the person saw a 9.6% decrease

· ASB down 18.4% - that's 443 less incidents

· Robbery down almost 17% in one year

· A reduction in incidents of criminal damage of 12.3% or 227 less incidents

· Hate crime down by 24%

· 334 more people safeguarded than in 2023 as reports of domestic abuse incidents fall

· Almost 10% less recorded incidents of drug offences compared to the same time last year

· Public order has fallen 28.3%

· And 33 less reports of possession of weapon offences, down from 240 in 2023

A force statement says: "Recently, the Local and Community Policing Teams worked with teams from across the force supporting national operations Stronghold (an intensification week of action focussing on ASB) and Sceptre, focussing on knife crime resulting in two weapons being found as part of weapon sweeps and a person being arrested on recall to prison.

"But locally, officers are using intelligence to identify offending patterns and hotspots to target those concerned in crime to great effect.

"As a result of this approach, Basildon has seen six per cent less vehicle interference reports and there have been 81 less bike thefts in the last 12 months and, similarly, we're using intelligence to do all we can to keep our roads safe for everyone.

"Vision Zero, is our ambition to have zero road deaths by 2040 or sooner, and we hold regular enforcement days to tackle speeding and road-related offences."

CI McHugh concluded: "My officers routinely hold engagement events in easily accessible public locations where I'd encourage anyone who is concerned about crime in their area or who may have some information that could help us tackle violent crime, to come along and have a chat.

"By working together, we can make our district a safe space for everyone."

The force syas residents can find out about events in the Basildon area, by following its social media platforms on Facebook and X.

Events include "Let's Talk", fraud crime prevention, school visits to talk about the dangers of knives and "Stranger Danger" and Safer Streets with Basildon Council.