09 February 2012
Eastbourne has among the lowest burglary rates in the UK, a new national survey has revealed.
The survey, compiled using data from leading insurance companies, shows that the BN23 postcode area has the joint lowest incidence of burglary in the country.
The survey is being heralded as a success for the council’s Community Safety Partnership which works with Sussex Police to tackle crime locally.
Since 2007, burglary in the whole of Eastbourne fell by 39%, far in excess of a targeted drop of 15%.
The drop in burglary follows a major focus by Sussex Police and the Community Safety Partnership to catch and convict burglars locally.
A great deal of hard work has been carried out since 2007 to detect burglary and those who handle stolen goods. The police and the partnership have also worked hard to give advice to homeowners on burglary prevention.
Burglary statistics in Eastbourne in 2006 were the worst in Sussex but through hard work and a major focus they are now among the best.
The survey by respected website moneysupermarket.com analysed insurance claims for specific areas of the UK and found that between December 2010 and November 2011, there were actually no burglary insurance claims per 1000 enquiries for the Langney (BN23) area of Eastbourne.
Councillor Margaret Bannister, portfolio holder for the Community Safety Partnership, said: “This latest survey confirms once again that our partnership with Sussex Police is making a real difference to people’s quality of life in Eastbourne.
“Eastbourne’s total crime rate has also dropped by a staggering 18% thanks to the tireless efforts of the police, the partnership and local residents.
“However, there is always more work to be done to reduce even further the rate of burglary and other crimes across Eastbourne, and assist those who are the victims of crime.”
Formerly known as the Crime Reduction Partnership, the name of the Partnership was changed in April 2011 to the Community Safety Partnership which better reflects what the Partnership does.
Whereas the Partnership used to concentrate mainly on reducing crime, the council has listened to the concerns of the community who say that these main concerns are more to do with the quality of life, the quality of the environment as well as crime and anti-social behaviour.
