The number of vehicle crimes dropped by 19 per cent in the last three months of 2007 signalling potentially good news for car insurance customers, according to Home Office figures reported by the BBC.

Recorded crime fell by 12 per cent overall when compared with the same period in 2006. Robberies went down by 21 per cent while serious violence decreased by 15 per cent.

However, firearms offences rose by four per cent and drugs offences increased by 20 per cent.

Jacqui Smith, home secretary, said: "It is the sustained and focused effort by the police and their crime fighting partners that has helped to deliver these reductions."

She added that risk of being a victim of crime to its "lowest level since records began" and that the government will "continue to support police and the courts to keep weapons off the streets".

According to the Home Office, crime has fallen by 42 per cent since 1995 while vehicle theft has been reduced by 59 per cent since that year. ADNFCR-1161-ID-18568485-ADNFCR

2008-04-25