GUN crime on Merseyside increased by 8% from July to September last year, according to latest Home Office figures.

A total of 95 incidents were recorded over the three-month period, compared with 88 for the same period in 2007.

However, Merseyside showed a greater reduction than the rest of the UK in rates of violence against the person and criminal damage. And whereas domestic burglaries increased nationally by 4%, they fell by 6.4% on Merseyside.

Figures showed there were 1,591 fewer crimes overall in the three months to the end of September, compared with the same period for 2007 – a fall of 5.2%.

In separate British Crime Survey figures, Merseyside was the only county in the North-West which saw a small increase in the number of murders over the past five years, from 30 to 31.

Despite the increase in gun crime, Merseyside police said they expected an overall reduction for the year 2008/2009. There was a 4.4% overall decrease in the 12 months to September, 2008.

There was also a reduction of 7% in violent crimes against the person, and of 15.1% in criminal damage.

Police said recorded crime on Merseyside was now at its lowest level since January, 2001.

Assistant Chief Constable Helen King said: “These latest figures provide great news for people who live and work in Merseyside and show that the area is getting safer.

“The figures reinforce the commitment of Merseyside Police in cracking down on crime and putting offenders behind bars.

“Among other things it shows that our constant emphasis on using technology and new tactics to stay ahead of the criminals are reaping dividends, which is good news for victims.” Cllr Bill Weightman, chairman of Merseyside Police Authority, said: “These figures are testament to the positive relationship that exists between the Police Authority and the Force, and reflect the continuing growth in investment made by the Authority to support policing in Merseyside.

“I believe this can only result in significantly increasing confidence in policing and community safety amongst the people living and working on Merseyside.”

The figures showed an overall reduction of 3% in the level of crime recorded by police in England and Wales.

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said: “The statistics show overall crime is stable and the risk of being a victim remains historically low. Since 1997, crime has fallen by 39% and violence is down by 40%.

“I welcome the figures which show overall recorded violent crime is down 6% – over 15,000 fewer violent crimes – and I congratulate the police for their major role in delivering this.”

Shadow home secretary Chris Grayling said: “These statistics show yet another harsh consequence of Gordon Brown’s economic downturn. This is made worse because the Home Secretary clearly has no idea how to deal with this credit crunch crime wave.

“Combating the scourge of violent crime will require concerted action across the board. This does not just mean more police on the streets and tough penalties that are actually enforced. It also means addressing the fundamental causes of crime, such as drugs and family breakdown.”

LANCASHIRE is among 18 police forces found to have under-reported the amount of serious violent crime, following a request under Freedom of Information legislation.

The undercounting came to light last October when quarterly crime figures for the 43 forces in England and Wales were published.

In the most recent figures released yesterday, there were more than 1,000 fewer victims of crime in Lancashire.

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