BURGLARY and violence - the two crime categories that the county fears most - have seen marked drops over the past nine months.

The latest quarterly crime figures for Herefordshire, showing offences between April-December 2003, show 161 fewer house burglaries and 235 fewer 'other' raids on premises ranging from businesses to sheds. Crimes of violence such as assaults and robbery fell by 50.

All categories of theft were down - shoplifting by 100 - and there was a drop in drug offences.

The biggest rise was in criminal damage, up 150. Reported sex offences rose by 22 and public order cases by 56.

Around 37% of the 10,246 crimes committed over the nine months were detected, compared with the previous 34%.

Supt Anthony Bangham, responsible for the division's operational policing, said the statistics were 'encouraging', in particular the reduction in burglaries.