TOTAL crime has fallen by more than 10 per cent in the last year across the Malvern Hills, with reductions in burglaries, theft, criminal damage and violent incidents.

There were 2,829 crimes recorded across the district between April 1, 2012, and March 31, a drop of 10.7 per cent from 3,163 the previous year.

Sgt Ian Blanchard, of Malvern police, said the figures showed the area was a “fantastic place to live”.

Theft has seen the biggest drop, of just over 20 per cent, with 976 incidents in 2012/13 compared to 1,225.

Criminal damage is down from 576 incidents to 503, a reduction of 12.7 per cent and burglaries have fallen from 144 to 131, a decrease of nine per cent.

A small reduction has also been recorded in violent crime, with 569 incidents in 2012/13 compared to 574.

However, there has been a small increase in anti-social behaviour over the last 12 months.

Total incidents have risen by 3.9 per cent, from 2,461 to 2,557, while youth anti-social behaviour is up by 0.9 per cent, from 781 incidents to 788. There have been large proportional increases in rural areas including the Baldwin, Longdon and Ripple wards, as well as the Chase and Pickersleigh areas in Malvern.

However, Sgt Blanchard said there had been a “significant” decrease in Malvern’s Pickersleigh ward – which has been a hotspot in the past and received significant attention from the Big Pickersleigh Project, an initiative between police, local councils and other partners.

Sgt Blanchard said the rise in anti-social behaviour could be attributed to people finding it easier to report issues.

“The increase is probably partly self-inflicted but it is comforting to know people are comfortable reporting things to us,” he said.

He added the overall figures were a “real positive”, and recent research showed the average resident of Malvern Hills now has cause to contact the police only once every four years.

He added police cannot take sole credit for the fall in crime and better partnership working with councils, housing associations and other partners has had a big role to play.