Crime levels in Northern Ireland fell by nearly 16 per cent between April and August, with just over 39,500 offences committed, according to figures released today.
Burglaries, criminal damage, anti-social behaviour, robberies and violent crime all dropped significantly.
PSNI Chief Constable Hugh Orde attributed the fall to the successes to impressive policing but also to an improvement in relationships between communities in the North.
"It's also the local day to day building of relationships within communities," he said. "That has fuelled that confidence which allows us to become more effective."
However, the summary also contained less impressive clearance figures. Sir Hugh told the Board the rate of 16 per cent had placed the PSNI at the bottom of a group of comparative UK forces, trailing way behind Northumbria.
"It should be above 20 per cent," he conceded. The Chief Constable indicated, however, that if fixed penalty notice legislation was introduced in Northern Ireland it could make a difference.
He also confirmed that crime managers from other forces in Britain would be invited to attend performance conferences.
Part of any discussions would centre on methods for clearing crimes. Another issue for the PSNI is ensuring effective working arrangements with the Public Prosecution Service.
It is believed around 5,000 cases, although not all for the period covered by the latest study, are still to be signed off by the PPS.
PA