CRIME in the former car crime capital of Europe is now well below the regional average, according to the latest figures.

Sunderland's Pennywell estate used to have an unenviable reputation for vehicle crime and burglary, which were three times the national average.

Now, research carried out by Sunderland City Council as part of a mid-term evaluation of the area's £18m regeneration, shows crime has fallen 35 per cent in four years.

This compares to a fall of only six per cent across the Northumbria Police area.

Burglaries were reduced by 66 per cent, compared to a 46 per cent drop in Northumbria.

The research attributes the success to the ongoing regeneration programme, which has invested more than £1m into tackling crime.

The money has funded a dedicated police presence on the estate and youth initiatives.

Karen Purvis, the programme's assistant coordinator, said: "People may think £1m is a lot of money to spend on reducing crime in one area but no one can deny the high levels of crime on the estate which, prior to the regeneration programme, practically made Pennywell a no-go area.

"Not only have we significantly reduced crime, we have one of, if not the lowest crime rates in Sunderland. That's a remarkable achievement."

Marjorie Atkinson, chairwoman of the Upper Pennywell Residents' Association, said: "The estate has seen massive changes over the past four years and none more significant than the fall in crime."