POLICE say targeting known problem areas has resulted in a drop in crime and an increase in arrests in North Yorkshire this summer.

Figures for the month, which were released yesterday, revealed that crime was down by ten per cent compared with the same time last year, equating to 473 fewer crimes.

At the same time, the force also saw a two per cent increase in the number of offenders arrested last month compared with last year, the equivalent of 50 extra arrests.

The force said it believed the results were attributable mainly to a number of high-profile operations during the summer, particularly operations Helical and Impact, which have focused on targeting resources and working with partners to tackle specific crime issues.

Operation Helical, a hardline road safety campaign, has concentrated on the use of tough enforcement measures to cut the number of deaths and injuries arising from dangerous driving.

The operation began on July 30 and has been supported by the county's 95 Alive road safety campaign, which is an operation involving emergency services and local authorities aimed at keeping alive 95 people who might otherwise die on the roads.

Much of the funding for Operation Helical has come from North Yorkshire County Council.

Operation Impact, which began on August 6 and runs until September 30, involves the four Yorkshire regional police forces, with extra funding from the Home Office, and aims to give criminals nowhere to hide.

Targeted crime reduction work has centred on a different theme for each week of the operation, using a combination of high visibility patrols, various initiatives and cross-border partnership working among forces.

Police said the operations contributed to the total of 2,387 arrests made during August, as well as 142 vehicle seizures and 2,486 fixed penalties.

Vehicle crime dropped by 36 per cent, house burglaries by nine per cent.

Criminal damage by 14 per cent and theft by three per cent in August, compared with last year.

Deputy Chief Constable Adam Briggs said: "We work hard all year round to keep reported crime low and arrests high, but this summer we have used extra funding and a very targeted approach to tackle the major problem areas and it's clear from the results that this has paid off."

The latest figures follow Home Office figures in May that showed North Yorkshire had a rate of crimes per resident of 0.16 per cent for the beginning of this year, the lowest rate of any English county.