CRIME levels across North and East Yorkshire dropped during the past year, bucking a national trend revealed in Home Office figures released today.

There were fewer house burglaries, and fewer motorists had their cars stolen or broken into.

But in a worrying reflection of the national picture, there was a rise in the total number of recorded violent crimes in North Yorkshire.

Home Secretary Jack Straw today said the national rise in crime of nearly four per cent in the year to the end of March was "regrettable" but pledged more resources to tackle alcohol-related crime and disorder.

He said: "The overall recorded increase in crime in England and Wales is disappointing, but I am pleased that Yorkshire and the Humber are bucking the national trend with a drop in crime.

"It is also good news that domestic burglary and vehicle crime have fallen in forces across the region."

In Humberside, where overall crime fell by more than seven per cent - the second biggest drop in the country - the force's chief constable hailed the success of "old- style policing for the modern world".

Chief Constable David Westwood said: "High visibility uniform patrols and properly targeted using accurate information are delivering real results."

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 massive 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.

"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 figures show a fall of 3.2 per cent in reported incidents.

There were 825 fewer house burglaries and about 1,000 fewer car crimes.

While there were 274 more acts of violence in the county compared to the previous year, the detection rate was almost 90 per cent - one of the highest clear-up rates in the country.

North Yorkshire police spokesman Chief Inspector Ron Johnson said: "This is part of an ongoing trend in the county, with crime falling steadily for some time.

"There were 5,200 fewer crimes last year than in 1994, but we can only maintain this kind of performance if we have the resources to do so."