Crime in Norfolk fell by 3.6pc in 2013, according to statistics released today.
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Quarterly data released by the Home Office today confirms the county remained one of the safest places in the country last year, with 44 crimes per 1,000 population compared to the national average of 66.
The figures, for the rolling year between 1 October 2012 and 30 September 2013, show there were 1,410 fewer recorded crimes than in the previous 12 months with a reduction from 39,242 to 37,832.
However with police crime figures having been stripped of the official quality assurance mark by the statistics watchdog after claims that they are massaged a question mark has been raised as to the reliability of figures recorded by the 43 forces in England ans Wales about offending in their area.
But police in Norfolk have today insisted the statistics recorded by the force are accurate and subject to 'regular and robust scrutiny'.
The figures show reductions across the main crime categories including robbery (- 10.6pc), burglary (-3.5pc) and criminal damage/arson (-8.5pc) and theft offences (-3.5pc).
During this period, the force recorded increases in both violent crime (+2.3pc to 8,161 offences) and sexual offences (+3.4pc to 843 offences).
In the case of violent crime, the increase is attributed to an increase in non-injury offences with the most serious offences - violence with injury - showing a 2.3pc decrease (-89 offences) during this period.
Deputy Chief Constable Charlie Hall said: 'The data confirms Norfolk as one of the safest parts of the country with continued reductions in crimes which often have the greatest impact on local communities such as burglary and robbery.
'The increase in sexual offences is not unexpected, given the national focus around this issue and high profile cases such as Operation Yewtree, and this area of demand has continued to accelerate into 2014. We welcome increased public confidence in reporting this type of crime.'
Figures released by the Home Office confirmed that crime in Suffolk fell by nearly 10pc in 2013.
The figures, for the rolling year between 1 October 2012 and 30 September 2013, show there were 4,243 fewer recorded crimes than in the previous 12 months with a reduction from 42,609 to 38,360.
Meanwhile, separate statistics released as part of the Crime Survey for England and Wales show overall crime has fallen by more than 10pc across the country.
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