There were more than 900 fewer crimes reported in the Chiltern and South Bucks policing area this year with burglary rates falling by 36.9 per cent, in figures revealed by officer.

Thames Valley Police recorded 6,338 crimes in the local region between 2014/ 15 but saw positive reductions in various categories of serious “acquisitive” crime, however there were increases in reported rapes and sexual offences.

Overall, burglary, which includes burglaries in dwellings and burglaries in non-dwellings, fell from 1,389 incidents to 877.

Robbery, including robbery of personal property and business property, also fell by 34.1 per cent, while there was a reduction of 27.9 per cent (1161 incidents down to 837) in reported car crimes.

Theft from the person also fell by 16.8 per cent with 19 fewer victims, while fewer bicycles have been stolen this year compared to last, with 61 fewer thefts.

Shoplifting cases also fell, with 414 incidents reported this year, compared to 478 between April 2013 and April 2014.

Arson and criminal damage was down 8.6 per cent; crimes against society, which includes drug offences were down 5.7 per cent fell from 524 to 494; and possession of weapons offences dropped by 22.9 per cent, with 131 incidents this year.

There were also reductions in some parts of recorded hate crime and incidents including racist incidents down 23 per cent; homophobic incidents down 50 per cent (two down to one); and disability incidents down 40 per cent (five down to three).

Some key crime types have experienced increases including sexual offences, which include rape and non rape sexual offences, which are up by nine offences (125 to 134); rape allegations are up by 17 offences (28 to 45); violence against the person, which includes violence with and without injury, is up 71 offences (887-958).

The local police area has also suffered from an increase in the number of making off without payment offences ‘bilkings’ from 446 to 602 offences.

Supt Yvette Hitch, local police commander for Chiltern and South Bucks, said: “I am very pleased to report that overall crime across Chiltern and South Bucks has fallen in line with previous years.

“The reduction in overall crime and indeed that of many crime categories is a reflection of good police work and leadership of my predecessor and current management team, not forgetting the effective partnership working relationships we hold with support from our communities.

She added: “We have seen increases in crimes around sexual offences and violence against the person. A number of the sexual offence reports are reports of crimes that happened many years ago but people now have confidence to report these crimes as a result of the number of high profile court case that have taken place over the past 2 years.

“Thames Valley Police will focus our attention towards these crimes over the next twelve months as well as maintaining the progress we have made in the other key crime areas.

“I very much look forward to working with you all to continue reducing crime, fear and disorder across Chiltern and South Bucks.”