THE number of recorded crimes dropped last month according to the latest data released by Cleveland Police.

Figures for September show recorded offences fell by nearly 12 per cent while detection rates rose by three per cent to 25.2 per cent.

Assistant Chief Constable Adam Briggs said the force was determined to keep pressure on the area's criminals and asked for residents' help.

"The onset of winter nights is a magnet for the sneak thief, and burglar who look for easy pickings under cover of darkness," he said. "There will be no let-up on the part we and our partners have played during the summer.

"In fact it will increase with some very high profile operations planned."

There were 5,318 offences recorded in the month, compared to 6,033 last year. House burglaries fell from 558 to 358, car crime dropped from 1,065 to 862 and robberies from 116 to 83.

However, there was a rise in the number of reports of criminal damage, up 67 to 1,285, and of violence from 760 to 892.