NEW crime figures show that overall crime in Hertfordshire dropped over a 12 month period and was below the national average. During the period between April 2006 and March 2007 recorded crime in the country dropped by 4 per cent. The figures in a repo

NEW crime figures show that overall crime in Hertfordshire dropped over a 12 month period and was below the national average.

During the period between April 2006 and March 2007 recorded crime in the country dropped by 4 per cent.

The figures in a report from the Home Office show there was a 8 per cent drop in burglary and 8 per cent in car crime.

Ian Laidlaw-Dickson, chairman of the Herts Police Authority, said: "Once again we have some encouraging figures.

"Figures for serious violent crime, motor crime and burglary have dropped considerably compared to the national picture," he said.

Chief Constable Frank Whiteley said the figures showed the "excellent work" being carried out by police in the county.

"It's important that people in Herts are reassured that they live in a low crime county in which crime continues to fall," he said.

Serious violent crime dropped by 6 per cent although lower levels of violent crime showed an increase.

This, however, said a police spokesman was attributed to the increased use of Fixed Penalty Notices where police are tackling such incidents immediately on the streets.