According to figures for April 2007/2008, criminal damage fell by 7.2 per cent (118 fewer incidents) and there was a 3.2 per cent drop in thefts (37 fewer incidents).

There was also an increase of 38.5 per cent in reported and detected drug trafficking offences, which Area Commander for Craigavon Chief Inspector Jason Murphy said was "a testament to the tenacity my officers show when it comes to taking drugs off the streets".

However, sexual offences rose by 15.9 per cent, burglaries by 17.3 per cent and robberies by 20.4 per cent.

The Craigavon area is part of the new E District, which also includes Newry and Mourne, Banbridge and Armagh. The figures show that overall crime in the district fell by 8.7 per cent compared with 2006/2007 (1,447 fewer incidents).

Once again, there was a flip side, with overall clearance rates also down, meaning fewer people were brought before the courts

Commander of E District, Chief Superintendent Alan Todd, said, "I welcome the news that crime has fallen here. It shows that the Police Service, working with partner agencies and the community, is making the district safer for everyone who lives, works and socialises here.

"However, while overall crime has decreased, overall clearance rates are down 20.4 per cent in E district and 23.3 per cent in the Craigavon area compared with the previous year. This is a key issue of concern which police are committed to address. We are determined to focus on improving our clearance rates and bringing more people before the courts."

The District Commander pointed out that in E District domestic burglaries had fallen by 18.4 per cent (203 fewer incidents), robbery by 15.5 per cent (24 fewer), thefts by 9.6 per cent (355 fewer), criminal damage by 13.3 per cent (668 fewer incidents) and violent crime by 4.8 per cent (223 fewer incidents).

reduction

He said, "These reflect an overall reduction of crime across Northern Ireland of 10.5 per cent, 12,676 fewer offences. Although these figures are extremely positive, we cannot afford to be complacent. My officers and I will be making sure that we continue our efforts to make E District safer."

Chief Superintendent Todd also paid tribute to the work of the District Policing Partnerships, politicians, councils and community representatives across the district who have played a key role in making the community safer.

"The figures are very positive, and I hope that they will reassure the community that Police are tackling criminality. However, it is essential that the community continue to support our work as we seek to make our neighbourhoods safer.

"The more support we get from the community, the more we can do," he added.