VIOLENT crime in North Yorkshire is up by more than half compared with last year - but crime as a whole is down, according to new figures.

A report produced for the North Yorkshire Police Authority (NYPA) found that 3,266 violent crimes were reported between April 1 and June 30, compared to 2,134 during the same three months last year - a rise of 53 per cent.

Such crimes are still below the average of similar police forces and officers detected 69 per cent of offenders, an increase of 97 per cent on the same time last year.

However, the report shows that North Yorkshire is becoming a safer place to live and work.

Overall, recorded crime dropped by more than seven per cent from April 1 to June 30 on the same three months last year.

Domestic burglaries fell by almost 41 per cent and robberies by more than 24 per cent, while vehicle crime, which includes both thefts of and from a vehicle, also went down by almost 42 per cent.

Detection levels have risen by almost a half in North Yorkshire compared with last year, rising to nearly 33 per cent.

NYPA chairwoman Jane Keynon said the report findings were "news to celebrate".

"I think the force are to be congratulated at the efforts that have gone in from everyone. What we now need to do is ensure that the performance is consistent and I am sure the Chief Constable will have much to say about this," she said.

"The force has had its critics in the past but it has turned a real corner."

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman attributed the rise in violent crime to more vigilant reporting by the public and recent changes in the recording of crime statistics, which have widened the parameters of the category.

Deputy Chief Constable Roger Baker said: "North Yorkshire Police have turned a corner in terms of performance. This year detections and arrests are up, crime is down and we are forging ahead.

"The fact of it is that this remains a fine place to live and work. The Home Office figures for last year show North Yorkshire Police as a force moving up to another gear. Now is the time to accelerate towards an even better performance and even better care for the community we serve."

Figures released earlier this month revealed that during 2003/4, violent crime rose by 33 per cent in the York and Selby area, and 19 per cent in Ryedale and Scarborough. Nationally, the increase was 12 per cent.

Updated: 10:33 Friday, July 30, 2004