A POLICE force has been praised by the Home Office for recording the second lowest crime rate in England.

North Yorkshire Police has reduced crime in its area to 46,496 offences between October 2008 and September last year.

The Home Office report states that North Yorkshire is one of the safest areas in the country to live with just 59 crimes per 1,000 population.

There was over 2,400 fewer victims of crime over the period than between October 2007 and September 2008.

Between October 2009 and September 2008 house burglary cases fell by 420 which is the second highest reduction in England.

While vehicle crime over the same time was reduced with 709 less offences recorded in North Yorkshire.

The release of these figures coincides with the latest findings of the British Crime Survey which reveals that public confidence in North Yorkshire Police continues to grow.

The survey states that 51.2 per cent of people think the police and local councils are dealing with anti-social behaviour and crime compared to the national average of 50.4 per cent.

Grahame Maxwell, North Yorkshire’s chief constable, said: "These figures are very encouraging.

"They reflect the hard work and commitment of both the police and our partners.

"We cannot, however be complacent and accept that to meet our confidence targets, despite being one of the safest areas of the UK, we still have lots of work to do to.

"We will meet this challenge head-on and work even harder to ensure we continue to be one of the safest areas in England and that we deliver the best possible policing service to our communities."

But arrests for drink driving almost doubled in North Yorkshire with 108 between December 1 and January 1 2009 compared to 62 in the same time in 2008.

Tim Madgwick, North Yorkshire’s assistant chief constable, said: "This year’s drink and drug drive campaign saw a no-nonsense approach to those who continue to break the law.

"A joint initiative with the Crown Prosecution Service saw drivers fast-tracked through the court system.

"A number of drink-drivers looked forward to a bleak Christmas with no means of transport a hefty fine and a criminal conviction."