Police praised over fall in crime figures

The British Crime Survey, published yesterday, revealed that the rate of crime fell by 12 per cent between 1999 and 2000.

The survey was based on interviews of 9,000 people across the country which showed that violent crime was down by 19 per cent, domestic burglary by 17 per cent, and vehicle-related thefts by 11 per cent.

The figures reflect trends seen by forces in the North-East and North Yorkshire during the past few years.

Yesterday, officers from the region spent an hour with Prime Minister Tony Blair where they were personally thanked.

Chief Constable Crispian Strachan, of Northumbria Police, travelled to London with his colleagues where Mr Blair heard the force's total crime rate was down 38 per cent over five years - compared with ten per cent nationally.

"I am particularly pleased that Mr Blair wanted to pay personal tribute to the people at the sharp end of policing," said Mr Strachan.

PC Rebecca Newton, from Berwick-upon-Tweed, North-umberland, who sat next to the Prime Minister in the Cabinet room, said she was invited to represent her community police team, which had been working to reduce youth disorder.

''We have successfully implemented a problem-solving policing model in my area which has led to a reduction in youth crime,'' she said.

''It has been a very positive experience."

The British Crime Survey also showed that just under 27 per cent of adults were victims of crime, compared with 28 per cent when the survey began in 1981.

Durham's Deputy Chief Constable Paul Garvin said the drop in their area was partly due to initiatives such as Operation Darc, which is targeting burglars in Easington.

"The survey shows crime is reducing nationally, and the gap between the BCS figures and those recorded by the police is also narrowing," he said.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said: "The trends in the British Crime Survey reflects what has been happening for the past four to five years in North Yorkshire."