CRIME fell by more than seven per cent in East Yorkshire during the past year the second biggest drop in the country, Home Office figures released today reveal.

Humberside police's chief constable hailed the success of "old style policing for the modern world" which has helped the force buck the national trend.

Nationwide, crime rose by nearly four per cent.

North Yorkshire police released their figures for the past year in May, showing a 3.2 per cent fall in reported incidents.

Humberside Chief Constable David Westwood said the force had taken on board the comments of local people in its fight against crime.

"As a result our priorities are highly visible foot patrols, and reducing crime, disorder and road casualties," he said.

"Without question, high visibility uniform patrols, properly targeted using accurate information, are delivering real results that the public can be reassured by."

Mr Westwood said the 7.1 per cent reduction in crime meant there had been 9,249 fewer victims.

The force recorded a 3.4 per cent reduction in house burglaries, bringing the number down by 456, a 13.9 per cent drop in vehicle crime, meaning 3,489 fewer cars stolen or broken into, and a 1.8 per cent reduction or 194 fewer victims of violent crimes.

Mr Westwood said the figures spoke for themselves.

"We have become one of the most successful forces in reducing crime, but I have set my staff greater challenges for the year to reduce crime further," he said.

North Yorkshire police recorded 825 fewer house burglaries and about 1,000 fewer car crimes.

But there were 274 more acts of violence in the county compared to the previous year.