CHESHIRE Police Authority has welcomed a report detailing the total number of recorded crime has fallen since the summer.

The 11 per cent drop means there were more than 4,000 fewer victims of crime.

Margaret Ollerenshaw, chairman of the police authority, said: “We expected the numbers of burglaries from homes, business and cars to increase during a recession but this has not happened. This type of crime has fallen by seven per cent, with more than 400 fewer victims.”

The report also stated that from April to September this year, only 42 robberies have been recorded, which is 33 per cent better than the authority’s policing plan.

Mrs Ollerenshaw added: “We are pleased but must not feel complacent.”