A PRIORITY crime team has been credited for helping drive down crime in the Selby area. Figures released yesterday, by North Yorkshire Police showed there were 205 fewer victims of crime in the community since April 1, 2011, than in the previous year – a reduction of 6.1 per cent.

A police spokesman said there were 667 reported assaults compared to 753 in the same period last year, 72 fewer thefts and 18 fewer burglaries.

Acting Chief Inspector Richard Abbott, Selby Safer Neighbourhood Commander, said: “One of the key ways in which we reduced serious crime was the formation of a Priority Crime Team. The team focused on crimes such as metal theft, burglary and vehicle crime. By targeting the more serious criminals, disrupting their activities and bringing them to justice, we have made significant in-roads into their offending.”