Recorded crime levels fall by nearly 30% during the Coronavirus pandemic

By Michael McHugh, PA.

Recorded crime levels have fallen by nearly 30% during the coronavirus pandemic, the PSNI said.

Numbers decreased across each of the main crime types.

The lockdown has seen more people staying at home, which can make offences like theft from houses more difficult to commit, and increased numbers of police officers are on the streets.

PSNI statistics revealed the decrease in crime over the six weeks to May 3 was less than was seen over the five weeks to April 26, with the exception of certain theft offences and burglary.

Six murders were recorded, compared with three during the same period last year.

Sexual offences fell by nearly half, while personal robbery reduced by two-fifths, and robberies involving business property decreased from 18 to 13

Theft offences fell by nearly half, and burglaries numbers were more than two-fifths lower

In other categories:

- Shoplifting fell by three-fifths

- Vehicle offences fell by more than two-fifths

- Drug offences and public order offences fell by nearly a third

- Criminal damage fell by more than a third

Police have stepped up the number of officers in visible roles in response to the pandemic.

That has seen more vehicle checks and patrols in beauty spots and town centres in a bid to enforce restrictions on movement.