CRIME in Richmondshire has fallen slightly during the past eight months.

Figures for the period from April this year to mid-December show an overall reduction of 0.22 per cent, with the greatest success in car crime, which fell by 14 per cent.

House burglaries were down four per cent, with detection rates up from ten per cent last year to 17.6 per cent.

Violent crime, which includes minor assaults, rose during the year, but fell by two per cent in the past few weeks.

"I have to concede it is an area we could improve on," said Richmond Sergeant Mick Griffiths.

"Although it is getting better and we have identified it and are focusing on it, we must do more.

"We are arresting more people for this type of crime but it would be better to address where the problem is coming from and that is under consideration at the moment."

Recent initiatives have included a clampdown on underage drinking, encouraging publicans not to sell drinks to people who have already had too much, and dealing quickly with drunken behaviour.

Nine drugs offences have also been detected in Richmondshire this year, compared with only two last year.

"We know addicts - particularly heroin addicts - commit crime in Richmondshire, so when we tackle drug supply and drug usage, we are often apprehending people who are stealing or committing other crimes to fund their habit," said Sgt Griffiths.