Swad is a crime Capital - allegedly...

Readers of the local newspaper the Burton Mail my have seen the recent story claiming that Swadlincote is a crime capital, if you missed it take a look here: http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/detail.asp?cat=Genera l%20News&id=6124396 Now I want avoid expressing my personal opinion over this as I would probably generate the wrong type of publicity for eSwad, what I will do is put across a collection of facts which should display the real picture. The following statements are based on data from 2004/05 crime figures. - On average sexual offences in both South Derbyshire and East Staffordshire were 0.1 over the national average, this is opposed to Derby were it was 1.1 over the national average. - According to these crimes figures you are over 50% more likely to experience a violent crime in East Staffordshire and Derby than in South Derbyshire. In fact South Derbyshire scored 5.5 below the national average where as both East Staffordshire and Derby experience rates which were largely in excess of the national average. - It is twice as likely you will be a victim of robbery in East Staffordshire and three times as likely in Derby as opposed to South Derbyshire. - Your house is at 25% more risk of burglary if is located in East Staffordshire and a huge 75% more likely in Derby as opposed to it being located in South Derbyshire where the domestic burglary rate under half the national average. - One slightly uncomfortable statistic is that you have more chance of getting your car stolen in South Derbyshire than East Staffordshire or Derby although the rate for South Derbyshire in 50% below the national average. However it's more likely to experience a theft from your vehicle in East Staffordshire and Derby than it is in South Derbyshire where the rate is 50% under the national average. In summary I think it's safe to say the best place to be is South Derbyshire. I agree as with most places Swadlincote has its problems, but the headline used by the Burton Mail was a little excessive to say the least.