Crime down again, but police warn over cuts

Criminal damage, vehicle crime and fraud offences showed the biggest reductions, according to latest annual figures.

But Chief Constable Meredydd Hughes said: “The figures are good news for people in South Yorkshire and reflect the hard work and commitment of my officers and staff.

“That said, the public need to realise that repeating these reductions will become increasingly challenging over the coming years.

Do you think crime is coming down? Do you feel safe on the streets? Use the "write a comment" buttons to post your views.

“South Yorkshire Police is well prepared to deal with the short-term impact of the Comprehensive Spending Review, but there is no doubt that front line effectiveness will be reduced over the next four years, which will make reductions in recorded crime difficult to sustain.”

Drug offences and house burglaries are also down but there has been a slight rise in sex offences, as reported last week when the the force’s dedicated adult rape and sexual assault unit reached its one-year anniversary.

Gun crimes (excluding air weapons) and knife crimes have both fallen but less significantly than the last set of figures released.

Latest recorded crime figures show there were 15,332 fewer crimes across the county from October 2009 to September 2010 compared with the previous 12-month period—a 13 per cent reduction in total crime to 107,290 offences.

We're ready for cuts says South Yorkshire police chief