THERE are now 255 fewer crimes recorded every day in Notts than there were a decade ago, according to new figures.
Government statistics published today show crime has fallen during the past year by 12 per cent. It is the latest in a series of significant year-on- year falls.
Notts Police and Crime Commissioner Paddy Tipping, who monitors the county force, said he welcomed the efforts of officers.
"Twelve per cent is a good achievement," he said.
However, Mr Tipping admitted he was "sceptical" about crime figures.
He said: "Notts has recorded big falls in crime and we need to be sure of their validity."
Mr Tipping said he was studying a report into crime figures in Kent.
The report concluded that around one in ten crimes in a sample were not recorded properly.
He added: "The commissioner in Kent has looked at the issue there and we will review that report. We are studying it now to see if it is relevant to Notts."
The Notts figures released today show that overall crime fell by 12 per cent between April 2012 and March this year, compared to the 12 months before that.
This took the force to a total of 68,097 recorded crimes a year – fewer than half the 161,404 crimes in the corresponding 12-month period ten years ago.
It means there are now around 187 recorded crimes a day in Notts – compared with 442 each day back then.
A Notts Police spokeswoman vigorously defended the force's recording of crime, saying a report by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary had already indicated it was one of the most accurate in the country.
Deputy Chief Constable Sue Fish said: "The new figures mean your chance of being a victim are less than at any point in the last 10 years.
"We are better equipped, have better leadership and are much more focused on the quality of service we provide to the public than we were a decade ago."
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