SOME 28% of reported crime was detected last year.

Police chief George Le Page expected the figure to rise as outstanding cases progressed through the courts.

The published detection rate for 2007 was 31% but that rose to 33% as inquiries for that year were completed.

‘For a crime to be recorded as detected, we have to be very specific with our facts,’ said Mr Le Page.

‘There are a number of crimes committed where the identity of the offender is known but insufficient evidence is available within the strict guidelines that allow a crime to be recorded as detected.’

A total of 2,648 crimes were reported in 2008, a 12% decrease on the previous year’s 3,024.

Since 2006, crime had fallen 22% and Mr Le Page (pictured) did not think it was a case of fewer people coming forward.

‘Indications are that Guernsey is not an area where crime goes unreported,’ he said.