HEREFORDSHIRE has recorded fewer than 10,000 crimes for the first time since National Crime Recording Standards were introduced across West Mercia in 2002/03. This is a reduction of over 4,230 crimes over seven years.

And in the Ross area crime has also continued to fall since last year. Ross town and rural areas have reported 37 fewer crimes in total. Under three categories the figures for the Ross area are as follows: Serious crime against the person has fallen from 14 in 2008/09 to nine in 2009/2010, there were two less robberies, from seven to five, theft of vehicle reduced from 44 to 29. The total crimes reported were 1224 in 2008/2009 to 1187 in 2009/2010.

In the year ending March 31st, 2010 there were 9,883 recorded crimes in Herefordshire. In comparison with the previous year there was a reduction of 542 total crimes, which included: 51 fewer serious violence against the person crimes; 47 fewer domestic burglaries; 44 fewer motor vehicle thefts and 10 fewer robberies.

Talking about the results for the county, Chair of Herefordshire Policing Board, Bernard Hunt, said: "This astonishing figure means many fewer victims of crime and a better quality of life for people in the county. We very much appreciate and would like to thank Herefordshire Division of West Mercia Police. Superintendent Kevin Purcell and his whole team of officers and staff have risen to the challenge we set to make a real difference to local people."

The Herefordshire Policing Board includes Paul Deneen JP a teacher at the John Kyrle High School.