WARWICKSHIRE remains one of the safest parts of the country in which to live, work or visit, according to Police and Crime Commissioner, Ron Ball.

Mr Ball has published his third annual report, which details the performance of Warwickshire Police and the achievements towards the Police and Crime Plan during the past financial year.

The period covered by the report - April 2014 to March 2015 - saw total recorded crime fall by 3.7 per cent, which equated to 1,061 fewer victims of crime than in the previous 12 months; fewer than 75 crimes per day on average.

Mr Ball attended more than 50 community meetings; continued to scrutinise the work and performance of Warwickshire Police; and held the Chief Constable to account at six Public Scrutiny Meetings during the year.

The publication also examines how the commissioner, supported by his staff, has ensured progress against the five key objectives of the Police and Crime Plan, financially supported community safety projects and continued to prioritise and support victims of crime through various projects.

Some of the key achievements include:

• The appointment of new Chief Constable Martin Jelley

• Awarding a new contract for enhanced victim’s support services

• The provision of £115,000 to further develop support available for victims of domestic abuse, including appointing four additional Independent Domestic Violence Advisers

• Distributing £1,327,748 of funds for community safety projects

• The establishment of a multi-agency team to investigate Child Sexual Exploitation.

Mr Ball said: “I am very pleased to publish my third annual report which gives the public an overview of what we have achieved, how the force is performing, what the plans are for the future and also outlines the challenges that lie ahead for the force.

“With a bright new look designed to make it much clearer and easier to understand, the report shows the wide range of initiatives being undertaken by my office and other partners to keep Warwickshire one of the safest counties in the country.

“This has been a year of tremendous progress in delivering the objectives of the Police and Crime Plan and I look forward to building upon these successes in the coming year.”

The report is available to view and download from the Warwickshire PCC website at http://www.warwickshire-pcc.gov.uk/ with paper copies available upon request.