VIOLENT crime is the only blip on Cleveland Police's continually falling crime figures, according to new data.

Offending overall fell for the sixth consecutive month with 505 fewer victims of crime, but violent incidents rose by nearly 300 compared to November last year.

Force bosses are warning known criminals that they will be targeted to ensure the downward crime trend continues over the festive period.

Assistant Chief Constable Derek Bonnard said: "There is a consistency here - and that is very bad news for criminals.

"The force is effective in targeting the people responsible for crime, targeting the known house burglars, the drug dealers and car thieves as well as those responsible for anti-social behaviour.

"Last month, there was a fall of 27.9 per cent in house burglaries and an 18.9 per cent fall in vehicle crime. Increased police activities against drug dealers saw a 28 per cent rise in people arrested.

"There will be no let-up over the festive season, and no goodwill shown by us to those who seek to prey on the vulnerable and law-abiding. We will continue with our relentless drive to make life for them very, very uncomfortable."

The latest statistics show a rise of violence from 797 incidents to 1,087 for the same period this year, following a national trend.

Mr Bonnard said: "The streets of Cleveland are no worse than anywhere else.

"However, people are now more likely to report such incidents and we detect about 50 per cent of them."

Detection rates for all types of offending are running at 23.2 per cent - a rise of 2.6 percent.

Mr Bonnard said: "The public has a major part to play in the war against crime and together we can make life extremely miserable for the criminal."

Over Christmas, the force is advising people to use public car parks, not leave valuables in cars, leave lights on at home and make sure doors and windows are locked.

In November, crime in Middlesbrough rose by 4.7 per cent, or 102 crimes. Hartlepool recorded a 19.6 per cent fall in offending, with Stockton enjoying a reduction of 16.3 per cent and Langbaurgh a reduction of 2.6 per cent.