IN response to recent letters about crime figures North Yorkshire Police can only record what is reported.

In the last year we have dramatically improved our performance in call handling and crime recording and believe we are more efficient at handling crime reports than at any stage in the past ten years.

If we take one crime area such as house burglary as a core indicator, we have seen a fall of 950 crimes in the six months since April 1.

This is a massive reduction, which we, and our partners in the Crime & Disorder Reduction Partnership, are justifiably proud of. We still believe that the majority of people who are victims of this horrendous crime report this type of offence to the police.

We have seen considerable reductions in crime across a range of offences. There are more than three thousand fewer victims of crime this year than in the same period in 2003.

However we recognise that less serious assaults and public order offences have increased and we are very focused on tackling these issues.

I am committed to reducing all forms of crime in Central Area and as a result improving the quality of life for the community.

Chief Superintendent Tim Madgwick,

Central Area Commander,

North Yorkshire Police,

Fulford Road, York

Updated: 11:31 Friday, November 19, 2004