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Credit crunch 'behind crime rise' Credit crunch 'behind crime rise'
(20 minutes later)
People in Londonderry may turn to violent crime because of the credit crunch, a policeman who deals with the victims of armed robbery has said. People in Londonderry may turn to violent crime because of the credit crunch, a police officer who works with the victims of armed robbery has said.
There have been 22 armed robberies in Derry this year, compared to 19 in 2007. There have been 22 armed robberies in Derry so this year, compared to 19 in the whole of 2007.
On Tuesday, cash, cigarettes and Derry City match tickets were taken during an armed robbery in the Bogside.On Tuesday, cash, cigarettes and Derry City match tickets were taken during an armed robbery in the Bogside.
Crime prevention officer John Wilson said the current economic crisis was challenging people's values.Crime prevention officer John Wilson said the current economic crisis was challenging people's values.
"People who wouldn't have given a crime a second thought in days gone by probably will turn towards crime.""People who wouldn't have given a crime a second thought in days gone by probably will turn towards crime."
"This could be maybe taking cash from somebody in the workplace, to maybe a more serious crime like going out and committing a robbery," he said."This could be maybe taking cash from somebody in the workplace, to maybe a more serious crime like going out and committing a robbery," he said.
John Friel from the Federation of Small Businesses said that crime does increase when the economy is struggling.John Friel from the Federation of Small Businesses said that crime does increase when the economy is struggling.
"Especially burglaries and robberies, they increase big time, and I suppose this time now is going to be no different."Especially burglaries and robberies, they increase big time, and I suppose this time now is going to be no different.
"That's why we in the federation are trying to warn our members to be aware of the situation and to be more vigilant and take whatever precautions they can to secure their premises," he said."That's why we in the federation are trying to warn our members to be aware of the situation and to be more vigilant and take whatever precautions they can to secure their premises," he said.