CRIME has fallen by more than six per cent in south Worcestershire in the past year but there were still almost 17,000 offences recorded and only a tiny drop in violent crime new figures have revealed.
According to West Mercia Police's latest statistics there were 1,124 fewer victims of crime in Wychavon, Worcester and Malvern Hills between April 2011 and this month compared to the previous year.
Overall the number of recorded crimes fell from 18,116 offences in 2010/11 to 16,992 in 2011/12, which included a fall in domestic burglaries and violent crime.
Superintendent Steve Cullen, said: "We are delighted to see that crime rates continue to fall in Malvern Hills, Wychavon, and Worcester.
"We remain relentless in our determination to reduce harm and bring to justice those who cause misery to law-abiding members of the public.
"Every time we reduce even one offence it means there is one less victim. Every time we solve an offence that is one more criminal brought to justice - someone who has caused harm to a victim or a community.
"These figures are testament to the tremendous efforts of all my staff, our partners and the support of the public and because of this, south Worcestershire continues to be a safe place to live, work and travel."
The biggst drop was in burglaries involving people's homes which saw 708 recorded - a fall of 12.4 per cent
But there was only a slight drop in violent crime which fell from 1,640 in 2010/11 to 1,617, although officers were able to solve more than half of these types of crime.
There was also an increase of 3.1 per cent in the overall number of crimes solved by police, meaning officers are now solving nearly a third of all recorded crime.
Meanwhile, 16 fewer people were killed or seriously injured on the roads in south Worcestershire, with 74 victims last year compared to 90 during the previous 12 months.
Are you surprised by these figures? Do you feel safer in the Vale? Get in touch with the Evesham and Pershore Observer at editor@eveshamobserver.co.uk.
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