Police hail drop in festive crime

Police in Dorset recorded a 3.9% drop in crime over the festive period compared to the previous year.

In December, 3,702 total offences were recorded (3.9% down). Violent crime fell by 9.3% with 867 offences logged.

The number of breath tests that were positive, failed or refused fell by 19.7% - from 173 to 139.

Reports of anti-social behaviour between Christmas Eve and New Year's Day fell by 6.5% over the same period last year with 871 offences logged.

Ch Cons Martin Baker said: "We are very grateful to all those members of the public who heard our advice and helped us to cut crime over Christmas and the New Year period.

"For our part, officers have continued to take proactive steps to reduce crime.

"We will be relentless in our efforts to make Dorset even safer in 2009 but, as ever, we will continue to need the help of the public and our partners to achieve this."