FIGURES this week have revealed an overall 11 per cent drop in crime over a three-month period in Herts. The Home Office survey showed that between April and June this year there was a 14 per cent drop in robbery and a 5 per cent drop in burglary. Ian Lai

FIGURES this week have revealed an overall 11 per cent drop in crime over a three-month period in Herts.

The Home Office survey showed that between April and June this year there was a 14 per cent drop in robbery and a 5 per cent drop in burglary.

Ian Laidlaw-Dickson, chairman of the Herts Police Authority, described the figures as "encouraging".

He said: "These figures are building on overall reductions in crime in the preceding years."

And chief constable Frank Whiteley said that reduction showed the "excellent work" being carried by police in the county.

But the figures revealed, too, a 29 per cent increase in drug offences which Herts police said was due to the active targeting of drug dealers and drug-users.

Mr Whiteley said: "The rise in drug offences reflects our proactive approach in tackling drug dealers before they can become established."

Other figures showed a 15 per cent drop in sexual offences and a 25 per cent drop in offences that caused less serious injury.