CRIME rates in Hertfordshire fell in the last year according to newly released statistics. The national crime statistics show that between April 2008 and March 2009 overall crime fell by five per cent, while violent crime was down by nine per cent and mot

CRIME rates in Hertfordshire fell in the last year according to newly released statistics.

The national crime statistics show that between April 2008 and March 2009 overall crime fell by five per cent, while violent crime was down by nine per cent and motor vehicle crime dropped 12 per cent. Nationally overall crime fell by five per cent.

Stuart Nagler, Chair of Hertfordshire Police Authority said: "These are encouraging figures - especially as they build on several years of sustained improved performance.

"I am very pleased that Hertfordshire has one of the highest ratings for residents feeling that their local police do a good or excellent job, particularly as it is the role of the Police Authority to ensure that local people have a say in how their police force operates," he said.

Another measure shows 61 per cent of Hertfordshire residents surveyed said they thought that their local police were doing a good or excellent job compared to the national figure of 53 per cent.

Rates of crime in the county compared to the national picture also remained low across main crime types with 71 offences per 1,000 of the population, compared to 86 nationally. Hertfordshire's overall crime detection rate rose for the seventh year running to 33 per cent. This compares favourably to the national average of 28 per cent.

One cause for concern is that, while overall burglary fell by 3 per cent, the burglary of dwellings rose by 9 per cent in 2008/9.

However, a police spokesman said significant work has been put in to tackling burglary and since April, and in the last three months burglary of dwellings has fallen by over 12 per cent.

Chief Constable Frank Whiteley said: "These statistics should help reassure residents that Hertfordshire is a safe county in which overall crime is continuing to fall and that criminals are more likely to be caught and punished for the crimes they commit.

"These results build on several years of sustained crime reduction and are a reflection of the excellent work being carried out by Constabulary officers, staff and volunteers often alongside our local councils and other partners," he said.