Crime has dropped across Hampshire and the Isle of the Wight – with burglaries of houses at an all time low – figures showed.
Burglaries in homes across the two counties was down 22 per cent – from seven per 1000 population to six – figures from the Office for National Statistics showed.
The quarterly statistics, comparing the year ending September 2012 with the same period in 2011, revealed a reduction in crime across the board in the two counties from 65 per 1000 of the population to 62.
This means Hampshire Constabulary was the 10th best performing force for reducing crime.
Robbery was down 27 per cent, violence against a person causing injury reduced by 15 per cent and criminal damage was down 13 per cent.
Simon Hayes, Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire, said: “I would like to praise the work of all Hampshire Constabulary officers and staff in reducing crime across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. I continue to be impressed by the dedication shown by everyone in the force to make our communities safer.
Chief Constable, Alex Marshall, who is about to leave the force, said: “My aim since joining the constabulary in 2008 has always been to protect the people we serve from those who would cause them harm by making our two counties a hostile environment for criminals. I am leaving content in the knowledge that this legacy is continuing.
“The 12 per cent reduction in total crime across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight is testament to the tireless dedication, commitment, hard work and ‘one team’ approach of officers and staff.”