YOU are safer in Selby. That is the message from community safety chiefs after new figures showed recorded crime in the town fell by almost six per cent last year.

The newly-published figures show robberies dropped by two-thirds across the district, while thefts from cars fell by a quarter.

But police chiefs pledged to renew their battle against violent crime and motor theft - one of the few crime areas to show an increase.

Sergeant John Manuel, community safety co-ordinator with Selby police, said: "These figures show that Selby remains one of the safest places in the region to live and work."

Selby District Community Safety Partnership and Selby police both issued statistics showing that crime levels are down by 5.5 per cent to fewer than 4,500 crimes in the district last year.

The police figures - based on the 12-month period to January compared to the previous year - also show:

Vehicle crime dropped 9.5 per cent to 505 incidents last year

Traffic accidents, involving death or serious injury, dropped 27.5 per cent to 50 incidents

Robbery dropped 67 per cent to eight incidents

Violent crime fell 0.5 per cent to 1,092 incidents.

But the number of domestic burglaries rose by 1.2 per cent to 254.

Community Safety Partnership figures, covering an eight-month period from April last year, highlighted a 10.5 per cent increase in vehicle thefts.

PC Wayne Leach, of Selby Police, said: "The only hiccup we had last year was violent crime, because we had a very big decrease in most other crime areas.

"We have a zero-tolerance policy on violent crime, so the fact it shows a decrease is very encouraging."

Sgt Manuel promised the force would continue its work to tackle violent crime, and target motor thieves.

He said: "We won't be resting on our laurels. We still have work to do to further reduce crime by tackling the underlying causes of why people offend."

Coun Mark Crane, leader of Selby District Council, said: "We're all absolutely delighted. Residents of the Selby district tell us community safety is their top priority, which is why the council continues to invest and develop community safety services.

"I think these latest figures show that we're enjoying the benefits of this extra investment."

Updated: 10:03 Thursday, February 16, 2006