Police and crime chief Matthews says survey figures back efforts on crime prevention in county
By The View, Leicestershire
LATEST figures claim ‘proactive action’ to prevent offending before it harms victims and communities is seeing reductions in crime across Leicestershire.
Police and Crime Commissioner Rupert Matthews’ says that ‘unprecedented focus on preventing crime in the first place’ is paying off.
The new Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) reveals the total recorded offences across the force area per 1,000 population decreased to 77.4 in the 12 months up to December 2025 – below the national average of 83.5.
It adds that continues to significantly outperform both regional and national averages for shoplifting and drug offences with violence against the person offences per 1,000 population also beating regional and national rates.
The survey also says ‘the public’s top priorities’ - including violence with injury offences - have fallen by 15.1 per cent compared to the previous year
Figures also show violent offences in general - with or without -injury) have reduced by 4.1 per cent across the year.
The survey also shows possession of weapons offences plummeted by 30 per cent up to December 2025.
Mr Matthews said: “These figures are wholly welcomed and provide proof that our relentless efforts to build strength and resilience in our communities and resolve the precursors to crime are really working.
“Sir Robert Peel – the father of modern policing – believed success should be measured not on arrests but by the absence of crime and disorder and I wholeheartedly stand by that approach, building my Police and Crime Plan around this vital principle.
“But crime prevention must be balanced with robust and effective enforcement – residents rightly expect criminals to be pursued, arrested and brought to justice for their crimes.
"These results also prove the value in visible and swift justice in deterring crime, highlighting the force’s exceptional success in targeting those who persistently cause the most harm.
“Our officers, volunteers and police staff do a phenomenal job keeping our people safe and this success is testament to their dedication, commitment and expertise 365-days-a-year.
“We must also recognise our partners and communities for increasing opportunities for people to transform their lives, turn their backs on crime and overcome the barriers holding them back. These results would be impossible without their ongoing support.”
Grace Strong, Director of Prevention for Leicestershire Police, added: “These results show that a strong focus on prevention is making a real difference in our communities.
“While it’s encouraging to see crime falling, we will not lose momentum and will continue to build on this progress by embedding a prevention-led approach across the force, working collaboratively with partners and communities to tackle issues at the earliest opportunity."
