KENILWORTH is a great place to live.
Analysis of the latest crime statistics shows that Kenilworth is also a safe place to live. We are conscious here at Kenilworth Watch that as we keep the community informed with timely and regular crime alerts, it can easily build a perception that our town is a crime hotspot when compared to other places.
The first thing we would say is that most other places are no different from Kenilworth, but many are not fortunate to receive timely and regular crime alerts when incidents have taken place. This often means incidents are taking place, but some communities don’t get to hear about them, certainly not as frequently.
Crime statistics from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) show that the 2018/19 crime index, that’s the crime rate per 1,000 population, was 95 for the United Kingdom as whole and 101 for England and Wales.
So where does Kenilworth sit in all of this?
Well, it’s good news, the crime rate in Kenilworth between January 2019 to December 2019 was 53, that’s about half the national average crime rate reported for the 2018/19 year.
It’s positive news, and we believe that because our community has been extra vigilant, receives up to date crime alerts and engages with its Safer Neighbourhood Team we all, each one of us, have contributed to reducing the crime rate.
And… let’s not forget Warwickshire Police, who have been busy too apprehending offenders and working with neighbouring forces to put away criminals from organised crime gangs who have been responsible for some of the crime our community has experienced in the past year or so.
It may also interest you to know that the crime rate has fallen in Kenilworth over the last three consecutive years from 70 in 2017 to 67 in 2018 and now to 53 for 2019. So Kenilworth is NOT a crime hotspot – far from it.
Complacency is the enemy of Security
However, complacency is the enemy of security and great as this news is we’d be foolish to think that Kenilworth will be exempt from further crime. The critical element most criminals look for is an opportunity, and they will undoubtedly continue to check Kenilworth out to see if they can find:
- a vehicle with valuables left in view inside
- a house where it’s too apparent the householders are away from
- a high-value vehicle with no visible theft deterrent like a steering lock parked at a property without anti-snap locks and or a monitored alarm and CCTV
We appreciate that many Kenilworth residents have already taken steps to do things differently and close such opportunities that were previously open to criminals. Thanks to all those that have done this and helped the crime rate to fall because it helps prevent crime and crucially gives the police a real chance to concentrate on detecting and catching persistent offenders and targeting organised crime.
Let’s get over 50!
The new CCTV Register we launched just two weeks ago has been a great success with 46 homes across our town already signing up! The register helps the police save hours and hours by enabling us to alert CCTV owners to look through their footage in the event of an incident nearby. We are hoping we can hit the 50 milestone this week, so if you have CCTV, and that includes things like RING doorbells, then please register. Here’s a link that tells you more and enables you to sign up.
How you can help deliver a step change in crime prevention and detection in Kenilworth
Help make a big difference with your individual steps
We’d encourage all residents to think about their home, property and security and look for those opportunities that may inadvertently exist for criminals. We are fortunate in Kenilworth in having a proactive and focused Safer Neighbourhood Team who are on hand and available to provide you advice and reassurance. You can contact Kenilworth’s SNT on 01926 684404 or by email at: kenilworth.snt@warwickshire.police.uk
Kenilworth Watch 