Deputy Chief Constable Neil Rhodes sid the force knew significant reductions had been made in areas of acquisitive and violent crime.

"However, now that we can make comparison with other force areas, it just shows what a positive effect we are having on crime reduction," he says.

Mr Rhodes cites the ongoing activity under the banner of 'Operation Fusion' – which specifically targets serious acquisitive crime such as burglary, robbery and vehicle crime - as reaping 'exceptional' benefits.

"We also launched our campaign against violence, 'Operation Nova' (say NO to Violence and Abuse) at New Year and, alongside 'Operation Fusion' will be making major efforts to reduce violence and abuse including domestic abuse over the coming year," he said.

The national statistic for violence shows a 4 per cent reduction in the category of violence against the person involving injury. Robbery in the county increased by about 25 offences but against a national overall statistic of a 2.6 per cent reduction the force is still the seventh best performing nationally and the top performer in the region.

Violence against the person with no injury has shown a 10.1 per cent reduction in the county and a 4.2 per cent reduction nationally.

"So we compare very favourably with the national and regional figures," said Mr Rhodes, "but what people living in Lincolnshire should know is that we have seen significant reductions in burglary of people's homes (167 fewer houses broken into – a 9 per cent reduction) and vehicle crime (258 fewer cases – an 8 per cent reduction)."