A NEW report has concluded that Richmondshire is one of the safest areas to live in and North Yorkshire is one of the safest counties in England.

The findings are based on a study by the district's Community Safety Partnership, which has examined crime statistics for the past three years.

It found, between 2000 and 2001, 80 of the area's 22,000 homes were burgled - well below the average for North Yorkshire.

Indeed, since 1999, break-ins have fallen by 47 per cent while both car crime and the number of incidents of violent or disorderly conduct are also down 18 per cent.

Between 2000 and 2001, there were also 23 per cent fewer prosecutions for possession of drugs while the number of people charged with supplying them dropped by half.

However, not all crime trends are on the decrease.

Last year, there was an eight per cent increase of alcohol-related crime, the number of prosecutions for driving offences rose by 16 per cent and there were more incidents of nuisance and anti-social behaviour associated with young people.

The crime audit also examined people's perceptions of crime - concluding they are higher than the actual number of offences warranted.

Burglary and car crime were top of the list of crimes most people feared - something which will be channelled into the Community Safety Partnership's draft strategy for the coming three years.

If it is adopted, posts will also be created for a domestic violence outreach worker, a drugs project worker and a community safety officer.