CRIME across the police force area that includes Wyre Forest has fallen by more than 11 per cent over the past year, according to new figures.

The West Mercia Constabulary statistics - for April, 2004 to March, 2005 - showed that, overall, crime in the force patch had dropped below 100,000 recorded offences during a 12-month period, for the first time in five years.

Worcestershire, Shropshire, Herefordshire and Telford and Wrekin are policed by West Mercia.

Recorded offences were down from 106,899 in 2003-04 to 95,056 in 2004-05 - a reduction of 11,843 in recorded crimes.

According to the force, crime had fallen significantly in the key areas of house burglary, vehicle crime, violent crime and robbery.

Chief Constable Paul West said: "We are determined to drive down all types of crime across West Mercia.

"The fall in the number of offences recorded reflects the commitment of officers and staff to keep reducing crime and targeting those who commit it.

"These figures are excellent news. They prove we are heading in the right direction and will provide valuable reassurance to members of all the communities we serve.

"However, there is no room for complacency and we will be continuing in our aim of driving down crime even further in 2005-06."

He added: "West Mercia is a low crime area in which people feel safe and enjoy a largely very peaceful environment and we intend to ensure that it stays that way."

The figures showed the number of house burglaries had fallen by more than 19 per cent, to 4,785, from 5,925 - a fall of 1,140 offences.

Violent crime was down by more than 15 per cent. There were 19,820 offences, compared to the previous year's 23,424. Within that figure, the number of robberies fell by almost 23 per cent, from 689 to 531.

Vehicle crime dropped by almost 10 per cent, from 12,134 offences to 10,943.