But there was an increase in crimes of dishonesty such as housebreaking and shoplifting, the first such rise for a decade.
Recorded crime has fallen to its lowest level for almost 30 years and the clear-up rate rose to the highest level for more than 20 years, according to official statistics released yesterday.
But there was an increase in crimes of dishonesty such as housebreaking and shoplifting, the first such rise for a decade.