Overall crime has reduced by 5.2 per cent, in real terms 116 fewer victims, in 2007-08 while violent crime is down by 15.7 per cent, a fall of 71 victims.

Area Inspector Mick Dwyer said: "Partnership working is of paramount importance within the Castle Morpeth Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP) and this year the approach has again brought reductions.

"For 2008-09, we will continue to build upon our partnership working and strive to make Castle Morpeth an even safer place to live, work and visit."

The Castle Morpeth CDRP links Northumbria Police with Castle Morpeth Council and Northumberland County Council.

Of the violent crime reduction, Insp Dwyer said: "This in particular has been achieved with partners and a very well established Pubwatch scheme — problem people will not be tolerated within Castle Morpeth."

There were no offences of robbery in 2007-08.

Burglary from homes increased from 62 offences to 66 offences, although burglary other than from dwelling decreased by ten percent, 22 fewer victims.

In the whole Northumbria Police area, crime figures reduced in each section including robbery (-24.2 per cent), sexual offences (-18.6 percent) and violent crime (-18.7 per cent), with total crime down by 15.4 perc ent compared to 2006/07.

Chief Constable Mike Craik said: "More than 70 per cent of police officer time is spent on frontline duties and, by putting total policing top of our agenda, we are protecting those who stick to the law and taking effective enforcement against those who don't.

"And we are listening to local people and responding to their needs to ensure we deliver the service they want."