CRIME figures in Northern Ireland have fallen to their lowest level in almost a decade.
All forms of crime - including violent crime, robberies and burglaries - have fallen by 10.5 per cent according to annual figures provided by the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
The results ensure Ulster's crime levels are at their lowest leve
l since 1998/99.
The 2007/08 figures are the first to be published by the PSNI since Sinn Fein have encouraged support for policing in the Province.
Deputy Chief Constable Paul Leighton welcomed the figures.
"For the last number of years crime in Northern Ireland has shown a downward trend. This year it has fallen by 10.5% which is a substantial decrease and is testament to the work of police officers throughout Northern Ireland who have been working determinedly to drive crime down.
"Police officers in all areas have been working with local communities to listen to their concerns about crime and working in partnership to tackle those problems.
"It is clear that this work is paying off."
Violent crime has decreased by 7.6 per cent, robberies by 27.4 per cent and theft is down by 10.9 per cent.
On the downside, clear-up rates by the PSNI have dropped by 3.1 per cent to 20.6 per cent.
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