Crime across the Great Yarmouth Borough is down and there have been significant falls in the number of offences in several key categories according to end of year crime figures for the area.

The figures, released at the end of the year from April 2011 – March 2012, show an overall crime reduction of 1pc with significant decreases in the number of house burglaries, criminal damage and vehicle crime in the area.

Superintendent Nick Davison, Great Yarmouth policing commander, said he was pleased to be able to report positive results in respect of work to tackle crime, anti-social behaviour and public safety.

“Over the past 12 months local officers have worked extremely hard and have built upon the success of the previous year. This year 6,861 crimes were reported to us. Set against a backdrop of continuing economic challenges this is down by 1pc on the previous year but, more importantly, collectively, the priority crimes that we have focused on, including house burglary, serious violence, vehicle crime, arson, robbery and shed / commercial burglary, have been reduced by 6pc.

“In respect of these priority crimes that’s 114 fewer victims than last year. Focusing on burglary dwellings, out of 46,195 households in the borough there were 255 homes burgled. While we would not lessen the impact these offences have on individual householders, that’s 48 less victims than the year before - a reduction of 15pc.

“Our ability and work to identify and bring to justice the offenders has also seen strong results this year. Overall officers have solved 40pc of crimes reported. Nationally this sees us delivering at the top end of what is achievable within the standard and burden of proof required.

“Turning to anti-social behaviour (ASB) the borough has experienced a 26pc reduction in recorded ASB. That’s 2,346 fewer incidents. While there have been some changes to the way ASB is recorded I attribute much of this reduction to the work of the local Safer Neighbourhood Teams and the newly formed Operational Partnership Team that is enabling far greater co-ordination and problem solving between the agencies responsible for tackling this issue.”

Among other results are a 5pc reduction in the number of criminal damage with incidents down from 1,516 in 2010/11 to 1,436 in 2011/12, a 3pc reduction in the number of domestic violence incidents down from 670 to 650, a 5pc reduction in theft from motor vehicle offences and a 25pc reduction in the theft of motor vehicles.

Both drugs offences and theft from shop offences have increased, however these are areas where the number of crimes recorded can be a positive indication that more offenders are being traced. Drugs offences are up by 2pc to 303 crimes from 297 last year and theft from shops have increased by 14pc from 510 to 583 offences.