YOU'RE SAFE IN HERTFORDSHIRE

HERTFORDSHIRE continues to be one of the safest counties in the country.

A monitoring report carried out by the Home Office between April and
June 2007 revealed that recorded crime was down 11 per cent compared
to the same period in 2006.

For the three month period burglary in Hertfordshire fell by five
per cent, robbery by 14 per cent, sexual offences in the county
dropped by 15 per cent and other offences were down 25 per cent.

Ian Laidlaw-Dickson, chairman of Hertfordshire Police Authority,
said: "These are very encouraging figures, particularly the notable
reductions in robbery and offences in which people are injured.

"These figures are building on overall reductions in crime in the
preceding years and reinforces our view that Hertfordshire continues
to be one of the safest counties in the country."

Chief constable Frank Whiteley added: "These figures reflect some of
the excellent work being carried out by the officers and staff of
Hertfordshire Constabulary alongside our local partners.

"I'm particularly pleased with the falls in robbery and violence
which are helping to make Hertfordshire an even safer county."

The number of car-releated crimes saw a 10 per cent increase and
drug offences increased by 29 per cent, but police say an increase
in the latter relects police activity targeting drug dealers and users.

Mr Whiteley continued: "The rise to drug offences reflects our
proactive approach in tackling drug dealers before they can become
established in Hertfordshire. We know that drugs are linked to crime
and we are pleased that this approach is being rewarded by sustained
decreases in crime in the county.

"We have also been targeting vehicle crime in the county and since
this period concerned the rate of increase in offences against
vehicles has been reduced to under one per cent."