POLICE in Hull say there has been a significant drop in recorded crime, despite savage budget cuts.
Humberside Police figures show there has been a 16 per cent drop in overall crime in the city during the first half of this year.
The force has to find £30m of budget cuts before 2015. More than 200 officers have left the force in the past two years, with a further 200 due to go.
But new figures show there have been 2,966 fewer crimes between April and October this year compared with same period last year.
Detective Superintendent Scott Young, head of crime management in Hull, said: "This is an incredible performance at a time when we are going through a period of austerity and change and with the challenges we face as a police service.
"These are significant and outstanding reductions in crime in Hull."
The figures show falls in every category of crime.
House burglary has seen one of the biggest drops, from 1,260 offences to 881 – a fall of 30 per cent.
Theft from cars has also fallen dramatically, from 1,045 thefts last year to 760.
Det Supt Young said: "This type of performance doesn't happen by chance.
"It is about incredible hard work. These figures give me confidence that the programme of change undertaken by Humberside Police is positive.
"It shows we can become more efficient and effective as a service.
"The strategies we are employing are paying dividends and this demonstrates to the public that it is making a difference.
"We have been targeting the offenders who are the most prolific and managing their behaviour, which has had a big impact on the overall numbers of crime.
"Coupled with work we have done around prevention, particularly on young first-time offenders, means we are dealing with all ends of the spectrum."
Alcohol-related violent crime – typically in the city centre, which was recently awarded the Purple Flag for safe nightlife – has also fallen by 40 offences, from 474 to 434.
Det Supt Young said the reductions were the result of working closely with other agencies and communities across the city.
He said: "The Purple Flag award shows the city centre is improving and we are making it a safer place.
"We have been working with our partners, such as the local authority and probation service, but also with members of the public.
"This performance would not have been possible without them."
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