NORTHUMBRIA Police saw overall crime figures fall by 5.3 per cent in the previous year - bringing to 34 per cent the drop in crime since a peak in 1991.

Crime statistics released in Gateshead yesterday revealed that house burglary had dropped by 9.2 per cent, car crime by 14.7 per cent and violent crime by 4.4 per cent in 2000/01, compared to the previous year.

Officers made 89,893 arrests and the overall detection rate rose to 31.3 per cent, although about 75 per cent of all violent crime was detected. The total number of offences from 142,279 to 134,777.

Since crime peaked ten years ago, house burglary is down by more than 58 per cent, car theft down by 69 per cent, and thefts from cars down by 56 per cent.

Deputy Chief Constable Michael Craik said: "By any measure, I believe all the personnel of Northumbria Police have done exceptionally well.

"In partnership with local councils, criminal justice agencies and many other people, they have reduced crime yet again - for the ninth successive year.

"I believe these reassuring figures will finally begin to reduce the fear of crime."