NORTH Yorkshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner has unveiled her plan to keep the county England’s safest.

Julia Mulligan said following six weeks of public consultation, she had developed a number of goals for the force to concentrate on over the next four years.

The Police and Crime Plan comes as the force released details of an 8.3 per cent county-wide reduction in crime in the 12 months to March 31.

It said there had been a 28.3 per cent reduction in robbery, with 47 fewer incidents, a 13.4 per cent fall in house burglaries, with 252 fewer break-ins, and 18.3 per cent fewer motor vehicle thefts.

While sexual offences increased by 13.2 per cent, with 72 more incidents, police said the rise was “a positive reflection of the confidence victims have in the force, particularly by those making historical complaints”.

Tim Madgwick, Temporary Chief Constable of North Yorkshire Police, said the figures reflected the collective determination of the force, councils, community safety partnerships and volunteer groups to improve the quality of life in the county.

He said: “The continued reduction of crime and anti-social behaviour in North Yorkshire is a tremendous achievement.

“Together, we are actively targeting those individuals who inflict harm and misery on others. Our effort to relentlessly pursue and pressurise criminal activity is making a significant difference."

Mrs Mulligan said key parts of the plan would see a focus on supporting and developing rural and neighbourhood watch schemes to further reduce burglaries.

She said during the consultation it had emerged business owners felt their concerns were not being given sufficient priority, so she had introduced a clear goal to tackle business crime.

She said the plan would see a range of improvements to services, particularly to victims as well as action to tackle antisocial behaviour through a new task force.

Two new mobile camera safety vans are also set to be launched this month, which to target issues such as speeding and road safety in areas where residents raise concerns.

Mrs Mulligan said: “Reducing crime is not my only goal. My focus is also on victims of crime, and people who are worried by crime.

“Our police need to be more responsive, more visible and more accessible. Only then can we be confident that North Yorkshire residents also feel safe, and this is what I am here to deliver.”