VIOLENT crime on Merseyside is at its lowest level for five years.

Today’s police crime statistics show the number of offences involving violence has fallen to its lowest level since 2003, with more than 1,600 fewer victims this year compared to last.

Other successes released by the police show the number of domestic burglaries and incidents of criminal damage stand at seven-year lows.

The figures released by the Home Office are for July to September 2007 and show 7,029 fewer crimes than the same time in 2006.

That is a reduction of 19%, more than double the national average reduction.

Merseyside has also seen the biggest fall in figures when compared to its most similar counterparts – Cleveland, Greater Manchester, Northumbria, West Midlands and West Yorkshire.

Merseyside police claim no area of crime has seen a rise in figures, although the report does not include gun or knife crime.

The figures for Merseyside show:

* A reduction in violent crime by 22%, with 1,685 fewer offences. The crimes classed as violent crime for the purposes of the statistics are robbery, sexual offences, assault and murder.

* Robberies have fallen by 42%, with 257 fewer offences, the lowest figure since January 2003.

* The number of house break-ins has fallen by 22% with 559 fewer offences, the lowest level since January 2001.

* Incidents of cars being stolen have fallen by 26%, with 385 fewer victims of crime.

* Criminal damage has reduced by 24%, with 2,174 fewer offences and stands at the lowest figure since January 2001.

Cllr Bill Weightman, chairman of Merseyside Police Authority, said: “We will not rest on our laurels, and I am determined that during next year we will achieve further improvements by continued development of the service to maintain Merseyside as one of the safest places to live and work in the UK.”