CRIME rates have fallen in Droitwich, according to figures released by West Mercia police.

The total number of crimes reported to police in the east and west areas of the town fell by 10.3 per cent between April last year and the end of January 2008, compared with the previous year.

Figures show that in 2006/2007, the number of crimes totalled 1,210, but last year this had fallen by 124 reports to 1,086.

Speaking at Droitwich Town Council's meeting this week Sergeant Mark Smith outlined the break-down of the figures, which included house burglaries and violent crimes.

Sgt Smith revealed in 2007/2008, there were eight fewer house burglaries, with a total of 47 in 2007/2008 and 18 fewer violent crimes, with 254 reported in this same period.

Vehicle crime was up from 125 in 2006/2007 to 127 2007/2008, but Sgt Smith said this was expected to increase due to a spate of crimes where locks had been picked over the last few weeks.

For criminal damage, there were 10 fewer reports with 281 in 2007/2008 and for other crime, there was a drop of 10 per cent from 467 to 377.

"The trend is that we will achieve our target," he said.

Speaking after the meeting, Sgt Smith said he believed the reduction of crimes was down to a number of factors, including increased police visibility and working hard to reduce the causes of crime.

"You can't pin down one reason why this has happened but it is very positive for the town," he added.

Meanwhile, a recent Pact (Partners and Communities Together) meeting in Droitwich has highlighted the success of measures to tackle anti-social behaviour.

PC Julie Liddington and Sergeant Mark Smith said officers have visited schools and brought in youth workers to deal with this problem in Chawson.

Residents heard some of the youths hanging around the area had also been diverted to a drop in centre at the Droitwich Youth House.

PC Liddington said: "All in all the efforts of everyone joined together had been quite effective."

However, she added some evidence of drug taking had been found on land near Spar shop in Blake Avenue and encouraged people to report incidents to officers.

Residents were told the shop's owners had set up a mosquito alarm, which emits a high pitched sound audible only to teenagers, to deal tackle the problem.

When asked to report on other issues in the area, people at the meeting said they were most concerned about speeding in Celvestune Way and Long Sling.

There were also reports of young people hanging around the grounds of Chawson First School at nights and weekends.

The next Pact meeting will be held at 6.30pm on Monday, June 23.