Home Affairs Minister Adrian Earnshaw MHK has praised the effectiveness of the Isle of Man Constabulary following confirmation of another significant decrease in the level of recorded crime in the Island. Already at a 30-year low, recorded crime fell by a further 2.4% during 2010-11, with substantial reductions in many categories. The end of year crime performance statistics announced today (Tuesday, April 19) also highlight an overall detection rate of 52.3%, up from 50.9% in 2009-10 and almost double the average achieved by police forces across England and Wales (27.8% in 2009-10). Against a backdrop of positive news across the board, the Isle of Man Constabulary has achieved notable success in terms of addressing drug crime and household burglaries. Meanwhile, the policy of early intervention, with a proactive approach to arrests for certain alcohol-related crimes, is reflected in an 18.4% rise in the number of public order offences. Mr Earnshaw said: ‘During my time as Home Affairs Minister it has been my highest priority to ensure that Isle of Man residents feel secure in their local communities. These statistics continue the positive trends witnessed in recent years and confirm the long-held belief that the Isle of Man is one of the safest places to live in the British Isles. The Constabulary is to be applauded for achieving ever greater levels of efficiency within existing resources. This is a further demonstration of the effectiveness of the Neighbourhood Policing model and the commitment and dedication of our officers, special constables, support staff and community volunteers.’ He added: ‘While recorded crime is at its lowest level since the early 80s, there is certainly no room for complacency. Everybody has a part to play in helping to build on this latest set of excellent results to create an even safer environment. There is always scope for improvement when it comes to combating “opportunist” crime, for example where people have left their homes or vehicles insecure.’ Headline figures from the end of year crime performance report show – • Recorded crime down by 2.4%, compared with 2009-10 • Detection rate up to 52.3% from 50.9% • Domestic burglary down by 18.3% • Domestic assault down by 15.5% • Drug offences are down by 20.9% • Public Order offences up by 18.4% Chief Constable Mike Langdon said: ‘We are investing more time and resources on crime reduction, focusing on the more prevalent offenders, the more vulnerable victims and “hot spot” locations. Strengthening our partnerships within the community will also help to address local issues at local level and contribute to the overall quality of life we enjoy in the Island.’ Ends