CRIME in the Malvern Hills district fell by seven per cent over the past year.

Between April 1, 2003, and March 31, 2004, there were 4,529 reported crimes, with a detection rate of 26.6 per cent.

Burglaries from homes were down eight per cent to 311, with a detection rate of 12.2 per cent.

Violent crime rose by three per cent to 880, with a detection rate of 60.2, while vehicle crime dropped by 28 per cent to 468, with a detection rate of 10.7 per cent.

Public disorder offences rose by ten per cent to 2,703. Three Antisocial Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) were handed out.

Sgt Bob Werner-de-Sondberg, of West Mercia police, said the force would be looking to improve its overall detection rate, particularly with regard to vehicle crime.

He was speaking at the Annual General Meeting of the Malvern Police Community Consultative Group (PCCG), held at Lyttelton Well on Wednesday, April 21.

At the meeting, chairman Les Eaton set out the aims of the group over the coming year, which included expansion and better awareness of the organisation's work.

Mr Eaton said the profile of the group, which acts as a liaison between the public and the police, had increased over the past year, but there was more work to be done.

"We've been trying to make ourselves known better than we have been in the past," he said.

Measures taken to increase the profile of the group include the distribution of flyers and a wider advertisement of upcoming meetings. Better communication with Neighbourhood Watch groups is planned to further raise awareness.

Representatives from the Malvern PCCG attended all the police board meetings at Hindlip throughout the year, as well as other general meetings.

Mr Eaton implored the police and partnership groups to work hand in hand.

"All the agencies working together, get talking together!" he said.

"In theory that's what's happening but in practice that could work a lot better."

Future plans include organising meetings further afield, in places such as Bromyard, Welland and Upton.

At the same meeting, crime risk management consultant Greg Lawrence gave a talk on reducing crime through design. The presentation focused on the way areas can be set out to minimise the attraction to criminals.

Although new officers were due to be elected, there were no nominations, so Mr Eaton will remain as chairman and Whinray Coates secretary.