RECORDED crime in Worcestershire has fallen 16 per cent in three years, it has emerged.

New data reveals how anti-social behaviour, domestic abuse and alcohol-related crimes have all fallen since 2010.

About 7,000 fewer crimes were recorded in 2012/13 than in the 2010 figures – with police chiefs saying part of the reason was because more people can’t afford to go out boozing.

There were 30,224 crimes recorded in Worcestershire last year, compared to 37,505 in 2010/11.

The figures were debated during a scrutiny board meeting at Worcestershire County Council, where senior police figures turned up to take part in a question and answer session.

One of the big falls was in alcohol crime, where the number of incidents dropped from 5,965 to 5,004, a reduction of 961.

Superintendent Mark Travis, head of policing in south Worcestershire, said: “A change in licensing legislation has had a significant impact on that.

“We’ve also got to be realistic that the current economic climate is also having a bearing, which means many people who would have gone out a few years ago can’t afford to do so now.

“Street pastors, taxi marshalls, the extended period for licensing and eating out has all had an impact, so much so that we now structure our policing differently to deal with it effectively. “People who go out drinking now tend to be spread out over a greater period of time, so there are fewer flash points over taxis and food.”

A move by Tramps nightclub in Worcester to serve drinks in plastic caps, was also mentioned as making a difference.

Elsewhere, reported domestic abuse offences fell from 2,886 to 2,577.

Anti-social behaviour was down from 28,077 to 25,572 – although that particular data compared the latest figures to 2011, as prior to that year it was recorded differently.

As well as recorded crimes, data was revealed showing how reports of hate crimes had increased from 258 to 379 over the last three years. Deputy police and crime commissioner Barrie Sheldon told the panel he was “quite pleased” to see the rise, suggesting it showed more confidence among victims to come forward.

“We’re quite pleased to see (reported) hate crimes rising, as it shows the situation is being tackled,” he said.

Politicians welcomed the data, and urged Mr Travis and Mr Sheldon to keep on working closely to bring it down further.

Councillor Chris Bloore, of the Labour Party, said: “It is particularly good to see levels of alcohol related crime go down.”

Mr Sheldon said “questions would be asked” if the current reorganisation of policing led to figures going up.