THIS year’s crime figures show an increased rate of reported violence and sexual offences in Tenbury Wells, and the county councillor for Tenbury believes poor policing and a lack of patrols is the problem.

Data shows reported violence and sexual offences have increased from last year’s average of seven per month to 10 per month in and around the town. As of May 2023, these offences made up almost half of all reported crimes in Tenbury so far this year.

The data was published in May by the police and covers all types of reported criminal offences in Tenbury.

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David Chambers, councillor for Tenbury, said: “We have a poor police presence in Tenbury. We would have seen officers patrolling the town and visiting our town council but now this is a rarity. I understand our only police officer now bases himself in Droitwich rather than in Tenbury. I would suggest that a poor police presence will inevitably lead to an increase in crime.”

The Ludlow Advertiser contacted West Mercia Police for comment on police presence in Tenbury and received no response.

A town resident, Mary Stone-Belben, agreed that crime is an issue: “I think the increasing level of rural crime in this area is of concern. There has been a higher level of vans being broken into in town and tools stolen recently.”

The average total number of monthly reported crime in and around Tenbury this year is 20, compared to an average of 14 in 2022.

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However, proportionately, the crime rate in Tenbury is lower than the average across the UK. The current national crime rate is around 75.88 per 1,000 people. In Tenbury, the crime rate is around 75.54 per 1,000 people, which is lower than some nearby towns of a similar size, such as Bromyard.

Ms Stone-Belben said: “I am lucky to live in a town with a very low level of crime and anti-social behaviour.”

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Violence and sexual offences have also been on the rise nationally.  In January, crime data from the Office for National Statistics showed that sexual offences in the UK were at the highest level recorded.

The broad term ‘violence and sexual offences’ can refer to anything from harassment and common assault to more serious offences such as murder and rape. The specific reported offences have not been specified by the police in this data set.

Other reported crimes in Tenbury this year have included shoplifting, anti-social behaviour, public order offences, vehicle crimes, and criminal damage.