Crime in Derbyshire has been reduced by a quarter in the last five years.
The Police Constabulary's end of year crime statistics for April 1 2007 to March 31 2008 show 25,000 fewer victims of crime compared with five years ago.
House burglary was reduced by 15 per cent, meaning 653 fewer victims, and vehicle crime dropp
ed by 16 per cent, meaning 1,556 fewer victims.
Criminal damage reduced by 11 per cent - more than 2,200 offences. The only rise was in violent crime, which increased by three per cent to 594 more offences.
Assistant Chief Constable Peter Goodman said: "There is a general perception out there that crime is rife and rising. The reality we have seen is reduction upon reduction and that Derbyshire is amongst the safest place to live and work in the midlands and also in the country.
Our performance is on a par with the top forces nationally.
"This is born out not only in this year's figures but when we look back over five years. We have halved burglary and vehicle crime and cut all crime by a quarter.
"As is the picture nationally, violent crime remains the one area everyone is battling against. We have seen an additional 594 offences this year and it is an area we have put resources into and we are working extremely hard to turn the tide against.
ACC Goodman puts part of the success this year down to the fact that Derbyshire now has Safer Neighbourhood Teams firmly established in local communities.
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