CRIME in Merseyside has fallen dramatically for the second year running, according to a new report which puts the region at the top of the UK league table.

Early figures show the biggest drop in crime compared to every other area of the UK - with more than 28,000 less crimes.

The news highlights the police's determination to make the streets safer for people who live in the county, but also those visiting for Capital of Culture year.

The 18% reduction in overall crime beats the previous year's crime drop of 11%, again the best performance in the country.

Overall, this means that 48,000 less crimes have been recorded in the last three years.

Chief Constable of Merseyside Police Bernard Hogan-Howe said: "This is down to the sheer hard work of our officers and staff, ongoing support from the public and partners and a relentless approach to stopping criminals in their tracks.

"Merseyside has suffered from unfair stereotypes in the past, but today's news should put those national perceptions to rest once and for all.

Statistics are often hard to understand and digest, but 48,000 less crimes should speak for itself."

Paul Johnson Head of the Police Authority said: "It is our responsibility as a Police Authority to monitor and scrutinise police performance.

"We are delighted with these results and would like to congratulate the Chief Constable, his officers and staff on the latest figures.

"The reduction in crime this year is evidence that partners are working together to create a better and safer Merseyside, and we are determined to maintain this positive momentum.

"We have recently announced plans for an extra 100 officers and expect to see crime continue to fall, and further improving the quality of life for people living and working in Merseyside.

This success could not have been achieved without involving local people and community consultation will remain at the heart of our plans for reducing crime in the future."

The crime cuts apply across the board:

Crime Reductions:

Violent Crime down by 20% (6,022 less crimes)

Burglaries down by 15% (1,473 less crimes)

Criminal damage down by 25% (9,876 less crimes)

Theft from vehicles down by 23% (2,183 less crimes)

Robbery down by 27% (616 less crimes)

Vehicle crime down by 24% (4,538 less crimes)

Anti-social behaviour down by 20% (24,716 less incidents)

With strong leadership and direction, the Force's Total War on Crime and Total Care for Victims approach includes the following: Tough performance regime, likened to the New York COMPSTAT model, in which senior leaders are regularly held to account for crime performance and detection rates.

Maximum use of forensics and technology: use of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) has led to 3834 arrests; hand held devices for officers, freeing them up to patrol the streets; and "converter" teams who track down suspects wanted for crime, from DNA samples and other forensics.

Large-scale mobilisation of officers and staff on given days to tackle problem crime known as "Big Wing" operations.

An anti-social behaviour taskforce, thought to be the only one of its kind in the UK, fighting disorder in neighbourhoods.

In the last year the taskforce has made 2,623 arrests, carried out 47 operations, executed 74 warrants and seized 1,546 vehicles.

Neighbourhood Policing, drilling down into local problems with local authorities and partners.