By Hayley Robinson

Crime figures show that the amount of illegal activity is falling in the majority of Sittingbourne’s wards.

The figures from October to December 2009 compared to the same period in 2008 reveal Grove ward has seen the biggest drop with the overall number of reported crimes falling from 156 to 102 - a fall of 54 cases.

Overall crime also fell in Hartlip, Newington and Upchurch from 71 to 56, Woodstock and West Downs went from 41 to 33 in both wards, Borden fell from 27 to 22, Chalkwell fell from 137 to 118 and Kemsley fell from 107 to 94.

However, a rise in all types of crime was seen in Iwade and Lower Halstow which rose from 32 to 51 reported crimes, Milton Regis went from 130 to 187, Roman went from 78 to 90 and Murston went from 178 to 193. St Michael’s saw the smallest increase from 238 to 246.

A further breakdown of the figures revealed all but one ward saw an increase in the number of burglaries.

The biggest jump was in Murston which went from 22 to 59 burglaries while the lowest was West Downs which went from 10 to 11 - an increase of just one. The only ward to see a decrease was Hartlip, Newington and Upchurch which fell from 11 to seven.

The statistics also showed that robbery in all wards is either down by 100 per cent or has remained the same as the previous year with zero reported cases.

Vehicle crime is also down in all wards except Iwade and Lower Halstow where it rose from six to 11 cases.

Meanwhile the biggest rise in anti-social behaviour was seen in Grove ward which went from 57 to 86. The area which saw the biggest drop in this type of crime was Milton Regis which went from 88 to 63.

Interacting with residents and a high police presence in each ward is helping Swale police fight crime according to Insp Evan Jones.

Insp Jones, of the Sittingbourne Neighbourhood team, says the latest figures are a clear indicator that the approach is working and his team are on the right tracks to reduce the amount of crime being committed in the Sittingbourne area.

He said: “We have one Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) in each of the wards across Sittingbourne and a dedicated PC who works alongside them.

“We also have two town PC’s - Jason Hedges and Justin Lowe who are predominantly in the High Street.

“But interacting with people - that’s where the real positive links have been made.

“We have conversations with people with a purpose so we’ll stop people or knock on doors and ask them have they got any issues in their area then we’ll ask for details and target the problem.

“Once we’ve dealt with the issue we then go back to the residents and tell them this is what we’ve done this is how we’ve done it and ask 'is there anything else we can do for you?’

“We have worked very hard as a team and it feels as if we are doing the right things and people are telling us they feel more confident in what we are doing and they know how to contact and interact with us.”

While there may be an increase in the certain type of crimes carried out in some areas it isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

Insp Jones said: “I’m not happy with any increase but if the numbers are going up in a particular area it shows we are tackling the issues. “On one estate where we arrested a number of individuals for drug dealing we not noticed a reduction in criminal damage, burglaries, vehicle interferes and violence so from a negative we do get positives.

“I live and work in this town and I want it to be a safe place to live like everyone else so I will do my utmost to do what I can to make it a safe area for everybody.”