CRIME in Hertfordshire has dropped by 12 per cent, according to new statistics from the Home Office. The period from April 2007 and March 2008 saw a 12 per cent drop in violent crime and a 23 per cent reduction in robbery. And H

Figures show drop in crime

CRIME in Hertfordshire has dropped by 12 per cent, according to new statistics from the Home Office.

The period from April 2007 and March 2008 saw a 12 per cent drop in violent crime and a 23 per cent reduction in robbery.

And Herts police say that knife crime is not a problem in the county.

The Home Office figures showed that there were 22 incidents involving a knife or a sharp instrument across Herts in the period under consideration.

Yasmin Batliwala, chairman of the Herts Police Authority, described the figures as "encouraging".

And chief constable Frank Whiteley said: "These figures mean that there are fewer victims of crime in the county and that criminals are more likely than ever before to be caught and punished for the crimes they commit."

One concern, however, was over burglary where there was an increase of 5.6 per cent.

Herts police said that tackling burglary remained a "priority" for the constabulary.