Shropshire has seen a dramatic fall in recorded crime rates over the past six months, new figures reveal.

The decline is being attributed to work by partner agencies under the umbrella of the Safer Stronger Communities Partnership.

The figures, which do not include Telford & Wrekin, show that recorded “acquisitive” crime which includes domestic burglary and theft from, and of, motor vehicles is down by 16.75 per cent.

This is well ahead of the partnership’s target of an 8.44 per cent reduction which was set last April.

Recorded criminal damage is currently showing a reduction of 27.02 per cent.

Similarly, there has been a reduction in recorded assaults, resulting in less serious injury, which are down by 25.02 per cent against a target of 5.22 per cent.

The number of repeat incidents of domestic abuse is also down with the number for August standing at 11.11 per cent.

Reductions

The partnership is made up of West Mercia Police, Shropshire Council, West Mercia Police Authority, Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service, Shropshire County Primary Care Trust and the probation service.

Paul Raymond, chief fire officer for Shropshire Fire and Rescue and partnership chairman, said: “The reductions in recorded crime are very positive and demonstrate how partners continue to work together to reduce crime and increase community safety.

“The partnership will do all it can to ensure that Shropshire remains a safe place in which to live and work.”

In April the partnership produced a delivery plan which set out the work to be undertaken until 2011 to tackle crime, disorder and substance and alcohol misuse.

The priorities are reducing offending and re-offending, supporting vulnerable people, increasing public confidence, and tackling drug and alcohol misuse.

The partnership has been able to support the introduction of a taxi marshalling scheme in Oswestry which will operate over the Christmas period.

Work is also being targeted on anti-social behaviour associated with Halloween and bonfire night as well as providing reassurance to those who may be affected.

Last week official Home Office figures showed that nationally crime recorded by the police fell by eight per cent in the last year.

Reported incidents of criminal damage were down 17 per cent, offences against vehicles were down 16 per cent and domestic burglary fell by eight per cent compared with last year, according to the data.

But the number of recorded sexual offences rose by eight per cent in the year up to June 2010.