Crime Rates Are Down, Cases Solved Up In New London

New London's crime rate was down and the New London Police Department was solving more crimes than ever in 2012. That's according to recently released statistics from Connecticut Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR).

An analysis of the past 10 years shows that the number of crimes reported to the New London Police Department in 2012 were lower than they have been since 2004. The city crime rate reached its peak in 2006, when the crime rate was 4,826 per 100,000 people. That rate has been steadily declining ever since, to reach the current rate of just under 4,175 per 100,000 people in 2012. 

One upward trend in crime statistics bodes well for the future. Since 2006, each year has shown a steady increase in the number of crimes being solved. In 2012, New London Police Department had a 34.20 percent clearance rate. That's the highest percentage of cases closed in the past decade. Compare that to 2006, when New London Police solved just 16.90 percent of crimes reported. 

"We are proud to say that the incredible qualities of the officers working for the City of New London and the wonderful leadership team, who are all continually doing more with less during these challenging financial times, continue to show an absolute dedication to the City and a commitment to increasing the safety for those who live in and visit the City," the New London Police stated on the department's Facebook Page. 

Which Crimes Were Most Prevalent in 2012? 

In 2012, there were three murders in New London, which is the same number as was reported in 2011. The number of reported robberies, however, had decreased from a high of 60 in 2002 to 42 in 2012. Additionally, there were 10 rapes reported in 2012, down from a high of 27 reported in 2005.

The one crime that had increased dramatically, according to the report, was aggravated assault. In 2012, 308 aggravated assaults were reported, which is a significant increase (in many cases more than double) the number of aggravated assaults reported in previous years. 

The number of burglaries reported was down to 183 in 2012, which is significantly fewer than were reported in the previous three years. In 2011, there were 228 burglaries, in 2010, 257, and in 2011, 257.

Last year also saw the lowest number of larcenies reported since 2002, with 515 in total. In 2012, there was an increase in motor vehicle thefts, with 66 cases reported, compared to 48 in 2011, but that was still the third lowest number of motor vehicle thefts reported in the years since 2002. 

The only other crime that increased last year was arson. In 2012, there were 10 arson cases, compared to six in 2011. In the past decade, the highest number of arson cases reported in one year was 13 in 2003, although New London Police investigated 10 cases of arson in 2002 and again in 2005. 

By The Numbers 

Here's the breakdown of serious crimes committed in the past decade.

2012: Murder—3; Rape—10; Robbery—45; Aggravated Assault—308
2011: Murder—3; Rape—20; Robbery—42; Aggravated Assault—262
2010: Murder—2; Rape—14; Robbery—50; Aggravated Assault—219
2009: Murder—2; Rape—17; Robbery—56; Aggravated Assault—196
2008: Murder—1; Rape—15; Robbery—23; Aggravated Assault—162
2007: Murder—4; Rape—22; Robbery—44; Aggravated Assault—164
2006: Murder—2; Rape—7; Robbery—66; Aggravated Assault—74
2005: Murder—1; Rape—27; Robbery—63; Aggravated Assault—87
2004: Murders—4; Rapes—22; Robbery—57; Aggravated Assault—130
2003: Murders—2; Rapes—21; Robbery—59; Aggravated Assault—99
2002: Murders—0; Rapes—15; Robbery—60; Aggravated Assault—73