RECORDED crime in Merseyside fell by 4.8 per cent during 1996, with Cheshire recording one of the largest falls in the country of 9.5 per cent.

New Home Office figures show the North West recorded three per cent fewer crimes last year.

Of the North West crime total of 702,370 offences recorded, 145,956 came from Merseyside and 66,214 from Cheshire.

Clear-up rates in the region stand at 25 per cent, including 74 per cent of offences of violence against the person and 83 per cent of sexual offences.

In Merseyside, recorded burglaries fell by over 14 per cent during the year. There were notable falls in drug trafficking and public order offences.

Home Office Minister David Mclean said: "The number of burglaries, thefts and vehicle crimes have all fallen, including a decrease of eight per cent in burglaries. Violent crime represents a small proportion, but it is an area local forces need to target."

This news was tempered by figures showing that rape in Merseyside rose by almost nine per cent and robbery by nearly eight.

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