Violent crime falls in North Norfolk

Richard BatsonA drop in violent crime in north Norfolk has resulted from a combination of tactics including shutting late night food take-away earlier and banning troublemakers from pubs.Richard Batson

A drop in violent crime in north Norfolk has resulted from a combination of tactics including shutting late night food take-away earlier and banning troublemakers from pubs.

During the first nine months of 2009 the number of reported cases of violence across the district fell by 109 to 601 compared to previous figures.

At Cromer it fell by 44 to 93 and at Sheringham by 17 to 67, which Chief Insp Steve Jones, in charge of policing in the two towns, described as a 'dramatic' reduction.

The crimes covered a wide range of seriousness but a lot were fuelled by alcohol.

Anti-social behaviour orders against two men in the 20s, who had committed a variety of offences, banned them from licensed premises for two years - resulting in a major drop in crime.

Police are working closely with the licensed trade through the local Pubwatch scheme, which is providing support and help in tackling the issue.

Getting changes to the closing times of take-aways such as kebab houses, which were a flashpoint for problems, had also helped.

And at Sheringham publicans were stopping people entering their premises late at night after other bars had closed.

It was part of a 19pc reduction in overall crime, said Chief Insp Jones.