MORE VIOLENT CRIMINALS CAUGHT SAY POLICE

Drug And Violence Cases In The City Have Almost Doubled In The Past Two Years.

Police released figures last week showing crime fell by almost 10
per cent over 12 months, with record low rates for burglary and car crime.

But further figures reveal that since 2005/06, the amount of
reported public order offences in Oxford has increased by 80 per
cent, while possession of class A drugs has gone up by 86 per cent.

The rise has been described as "worrying", but police say the sharp
increase in violence and drug possession is down to better policing.

In the past two years, the number of violent attacks increased by 29
per cent, and total violent crime went up by 23 per cent.

Meanwhile, possession of cannabis rose by 38 per cent and total
drugs possession went up by 46 per cent.

DCI Chris Sharp, crime manager for Oxfordshire, said increases in
drug offences and violent crime was due to officers being deployed
in the right place at the right time and would have previously gone
unreported.

He said the rise in violent crime was due to more police officers
witnessing assaults, while drug possession increases were down to
more stop-and-searches.

He added: "I don't think we have got more victims, but people are
being encouraged to report crime.

"Violent crime has not gone up; we are more proactive about where we
are targeting our resources.

"Violent crime and drugs are at the same level. It's just we are
getting smarter.

"If you get it right it looks like crime is going up, but we are
tackling missed opportunities from the past."

However police were unable to supply conviction rates to show if
there had been a rise in the proportion of people charged and
sentenced for crimes.

Mohammed Altaf-Khan, city councillor portfolio-holder for a safer
city, said: "It's a concern that violence and drug offences are
going up. I'm sure the council and police will be tackling this.

"It is worrying."