CRIME has fallen by five per cent in Essex, according to new figures published today (Thursday).

The drop is not as sharp as other counties in the East of England, however, which as a region saw crime drop by 14pc between April 2012 and March 2013.

Data released by the Office for National Statistics shows crime is down by 11pc in Bedfordshire, 10pc in Cambridgeshire, 14pc in Hertfordshire, 10pc in Norfolk and 12pc in Suffolk.

Home Secretary Theresa May praised the work of police in the fight against crime.

She said: “Today’s statistics show that our police reforms are continuing to deliver results across the East of England.

“Recorded crime is down by more than ten per cent across the country under this government, and the independent survey shows that the public’s experience of crime is at its lowest level since records began. This is a significant achievement.

“Police forces across the East of England have shown an impressive ability to rise to the challenge of making savings while still cutting crime.”

In the year to the end of March 2013, the independent Crime Survey of England and Wales shows that overall crime fell by 9pc to the lowest level since the survey began in 1981.

Police recorded crime fell by 7pc, with crime falling in every police force in England and Wales.

Crime fighting initiatives in the the East of England include:

• The launch of a crime-fighting fund in Essex;

• A crackdown on bike thefts in Cambridgeshire;

• A campaign to protect Bedfordshire’s Muslim communities;

• Hertfordshire’s Operation Scorpion to tackle burglary, robbery, car crime and drugs;

• A domestic violence initiative in Norfolk; and

• The Suffolk Homeshield Service to protect vulnerable people.