DROITWICH Town councillors were told by police it was likely crime statistics will show a rise in drug offences but less house burglaries, due to more people being at home.

Sergeant Sarah Kent made the comments in a police report read out at the latest meeting of Droitwich Town Council, held virtually on December 14.

The police sergeant also revealed that in the past few weeks two cannabis grows, believed to be linked, were found in Droitwich.

Sgt Kent: "We are at the end of one of strangest years ever experienced, this is good time to review crime overall.

"During lockdown many more people were spending more of their time at home and even after lockdown this has been a trend that has continued.

"As such the number of house burglaries in the town has fallen.

"As a large proportion of these offences usually happened during the day I suppose this shouldn't be a surprise.

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"The many people at home provided us with extra eyes, and intelligence, telling us what was going on.

"I strongly suspect there will be a rise in drug offences.

"This isn't an actual increase, it's more people have been caught, as drug dealers were some of the few still at work (during lockdown periods)."

On the cannabis discoveries Sgt Kent added: "Investigations are ongoing regarding these offences.

"The team also executed a drugs warrant last week in Droitwich, and thousands of pounds of class A drugs were seized, along with cash, mobile phones.

"One man was arrested and was released under investigation, pending forensics."

Sgt Kent added in the report that they were also dealing with domestic violence incidents, and criminal damage, recently in the West Mercia area.

Anyone wanting to report crime in Droitwich is encouraged to call 101, 999 in an emergency, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.