CRIME in West Mercia has fallen by 18 per cent since 2010.

Figures released by the Office of National Statistics last week showed the drop over the past four years.

Last week your Worcester News reported the number of people admitted to A&E in Worcestershire with serious injuries as a result of assault almost halved between 2012 and last year.

West Mercia Police Superintendent Mark Travis welcomed the figures.

"It is pleasing to see the reduction in crimes in many areas,” he said.

“This signifies reductions in the number of victims of crime, in particular burglary where the number of victims is reduced by a third compared with the previous year.

"This performance has been achieved through working with our partners, the media and very importantly the public.

“We all have a part to play in preventing crime and antisocial behaviour.

"We have completed a number of proactive operations to target drugs, burglary and violent crime.”

Supt Travis appealed to Worcestershire residents to continue to provide police with information to help officers catch criminals.

"Policing is not just about arrests and the recent response to the flooding evidences the importance of partnership working to tackle a broad range of threats from anti social behaviour, to serious crime such as domestic abuse or sexual offences to the challenges of flooding and the weather,” he said.

“I would like to thank my staff who have delivered a very effective service during a busy and challenging year."

West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin welcomed the figures, saying she was particularly pleased to see a drop in incidences of violent crime.

“Violent crime can happen anywhere, but it is not a significant issue in my constituency,” she said.

“I welcome all measures that West Mercia Police take to ensure that the trend is downwards.

“I meet regularly with the Police and Crime Commissioner and my local police to discuss my constituents’ concerns about crime.

“I’ve been out with the local police on Operation Christmas Presence and I am planning further visits to some of the more specialist teams in the year ahead.

“Local police have tackled some of the specific issues that affect my constituency, such as catalytic converter thefts and marijuana farming, and I am pleased to see police and public working together to keep crime down.”