REPORTED crimes fell by a tenth in the police force area that includes Wyre Forest over the past year, according to the Home Office.

National crime statistics for West Mercia Constabulary's patch showed a 9,703 drop in recorded offences - down from 95,056 in 2004-05 to 85,353 for 2005-06.

Force chiefs said that reflected crime in the area was at its lowest level for six years and down by a quarter since 2003-04.

Detection levels, meanwhile, rose, to 32 per cent - higher than the national average of 24 per cent - and at the highest level since 2002. They were five per cent up on a year earlier.

The statistics made West Mercia one of the five best performing in the country.

Violent crime in West Mercia fell by 14 per cent, compared with a decrease of just one per cent nationally. There were 15,699 such offences locally in 2005-06 - down from 19,849.

Burglaries also decreased, by 11 per cent, from 12,424 to 11,066. Vehicle crime was down by 11 per cent, from 10,943 to 9,758.

Chief Constable Paul West said the force was seeking to recruit experienced officers, to enhance its ability to tackle major incidents, serious crime and terrorism.