SOME types of criminal offences have seen nearly a 50 per cent reduction in just one year in Royston, with overall crime also down significantly.

From April 1 to July 25, overall crime in the town has dropped by 12.8 per cent compared to the same period last year.

The figure is in line with North Herts and county figures, both of which have seen decreases of 17.4 per cent and 17.7 per cent respectively.

Criminal damage in Royston is the biggest success story, with 46 per cent less reported incidents compared to last year - far higher than district, county and national averages.

Dwelling burglary is not far behind with 41.6 per cent, and violent crime is also down 16.8 per cent.

Royston Safer Neighbourhoods Team Sergeant Jon Vine told the Crow: “I think a lot of the work we have put in over the years has come into fruition now.

“The youth justice system has helped a lot, and CCTV and ANPR has led to an incredible reduction in offences.

He added: “The people I have spoken to know they live in one of the safest towns in the country and they appreciate the work that we do.

“Crime is going down and it has been for a long time. It’s going in the right direction, that’s for sure.”

Royston MP Oliver Heald paid tribute to the town’s policing forces, and said he believed the reduction was down to three factors.

“The first is we are lucky that the Business Improvement District is supporting extra policing in the town,” he said.

“Secondly, this is a huge achievement for our local police who are obviously doing things right and achieving a great improvement locally. Thirdly, you can’t ignore the impact of a ANPR.

“I think generally, Royston is one of the safest places in the country. It is a fantastic place to live.”

In the rest of North Herts, dwelling burglary was up 15 per cent, violent crime was down 11.1 per cent, other types of burglary was down 24 per cent and anti-social behaviour was down 22 per cent.

And in the county, dwelling burglary was down six per cent and anti-social behaviour was down 25 per cent.

Sue Warman, chairman of the soon to be defunct Herts Police Authority Scrutiny Committee, said: “I am very proud of the work of Hertfordshire Constabulary. The Scrutiny Committee of the Police Authority has monitored performance as it has moved from Hertfordshire being a middle ranking police force to now being one of the top performing forces nationally.”