CRAVEN'S police chief has credited residents with a significant reduction in crime.

Acting chief inspector Steve Harris said crime was down 15 per cent for the first three months of 2007, compared with the same period last year.

He said: "This is good news as it means we have got substantially less victims of crime than we had this time last year, which is excellent.

"We put this down to the hard work of the people in Craven, who have been making sure their properties are secure.

"We have also enjoyed some noticeable successes and had particular good work from the shopkeepers and Radio Link with regards to travelling criminals."

The police chief said three men from Birmingham had been arrested recently in connection with shop thefts and the capture of suspected burglars targeting homes in rural parts of Craven had also sparked a reduction in house break-ins.

He added: "I am sure that's reassuring to members of the public but we can't be complacent and I would ask that anyone who has any information about any crime should call the police or Crimestoppers."

Acting Chief Inspector Harris said there had been a slight increase in theft from and damage to vehicles and officers would continue to focus on criminal damage and anti-social behaviour.

He told the Herald: "It's a lovely area to live and our aim is to continue to make it a safe place for people to live and work."

Craven's dipping crime figures have been reflected across the county.

Home Office figures show North Yorkshire has the lowest crime rate in England.

New data shows that for the first three months of 2007 there were 16.197 crimes per 1,000 North Yorkshire residents, the lowest rate in any English county.

The news comes shortly after the force published its own figures showing crime had been cut across North Yorkshire for the third year running, with burglary, vehicle crime, violent crime and sexual offences all down.

Acting Chief Constable Peter Bagshaw said: "This confirms what we all know - that North Yorkshire is a very safe place in which to live and work, and one in which the police service receives strong support from the community.

"Officers and staff are doing an excellent job in driving down crime, but they could not do it without a partnership with other agencies and, most of all, with the practical support of the people we serve."

Mr Bagshaw said that, in fairness, North Yorkshire was not always top of this particular Home Office table but "we are consistently very near or at the top". He added: "Crime, the fear of crime and anti-social behaviour are high on our shortlist of key objectives and they will remain so."

Home Office analysis of crime figures for the period January 1 to March 31 shows North Yorkshire had the lowest rate in England, followed by West Mercia with 16.801 crimes per 1,000 residents and Surrey with 16.9. The national average was 22.42.

Anyone wanting information about Neighbourhood Watch schemes should contact Sergeant Kevin Wilson at Skipton Police Station on 0845 6060 247.