CRIME in Worcestershire has dropped by more than 10 per cent in the past six months.

Figures released by West Mercia today show crime across the South Worcestershire region – encompassing Worcester, Malvern, Droitwich, Pershore and Evesham areas – decreased by 10.8 per cent from 8,172 to 7,288 since April in comparison with the same period last year.

Robbery saw the greatest drop with 24 per cent fewer offences while domestic burglaries decreased by 37.9 per cent.

Violence against a person resulting in injury also decreased by 14.4 per cent – with 55.3 per cent of cases solved in comparison with 48.9 last year – and anti-social behaviour fell by 9.7 per cent.

South Worcestershire Superintendant Mark Travis said officers had been focusing on proactive policing and cracking down on violent crime, drugs and burglary.

“It is pleasing to see strong reductions in burglary volumes and the good performance in solved burglaries,” he said. “This work is now continuing into the autumn.

“The significant reduction in violent crime is good news for the night time economy and we are working hard to focus our staff on the autumn priorities and in supporting visibility and reassurance.”

Across the whole of the West Mercia region there were 2,484 fewer crimes – a drop of 7.7 per cent.

West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner Bill Longmore welcomed the news.

“It proves that cutting crime remains the force’s focus despite the significant funding challenges we face,” he said. “I’d like to thank our officers and other partners involved in this achievement.

“However, we must not become complacent. I know that there is still a lot of work to do in instilling confidence in local policing, especially in our more rural areas.

“I will continue to work closely with the Chief Constable and I am currently drawing up two strategies to help us tackle rural and business crime.”

Across the entire region domestic burglary saw the greatest drop, decreasing by 26 per cent, while 27.6 per cent were solved in comparison with last year’s detection rate of 19.8 per cent.

There were 14 per cent fewer robberies while violence against a person resulting in injury decreased by 13.9 per cent with a detection rate of 55.5 per cent compared with 50.9 per cent last year.

Anti-social behaviour also decreased by 8.9 per cent with 2,658 fewer incidents.

Satisfaction with service received from West Mercia Police increased slightly to 85.7 per cent from 85.4 per cent.