LATEST figures from the Office for National Statistics show break-ins at Hampshire homes have dropped by 22 per cent, with 4,214 burglaries being investigated by police between September 2011 and 2012.

Numbers of robberies have also fallen by 27 per cent, with 772 such crimes reported, while there were 11,980 cases of violence causing injury to a person, a drop of 15 per cent in 12 months.

A total of 1,769 sexual offences were reported, there were 4,309 cases of fraud and forgery and 20,220 cases of criminal damage.

But drugs offences showed a seven per cent rise with 6,669 incidents – something Hampshire Police says is as a result of proactive detecting work.

Chief Constable Alex Marshall said: “The 12 per cent reduction in total crime across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight is testament to the tireless dedication, commitment, hard work and ‘one team’ approach of officers and staff.”