Between April 2007 and March 2008 the division recorded 5,287 less crimes compared with the same period in the previous year.

In addition there has been a reduction in nearly all types of recorded crime, which includes 1,411 less victims of vehicle crime, 395 less victims of violent crime and 402 less victims of commercial crime.

This massive reduction has been achieved through better crime prevention methods, increased community policing and more effective overt policing.

In particular, the division’s senior officers believe the work done between the Police, Safer Neighbourhood Groups and the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships has had a significant impact on reducing crime.

Over the past 12 months the three CDRPs, which cover Broxtowe, Gedling and Rushcliffe, have carried out around 10 Weeks of Action.

Temporary Superintendent Dave Bombroffe said: “These fantastic figures have come about because of a concerted effort, not only by police but by our partners in the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships.

“Weeks of Action have seen specialists teams going into communities to help clear up visible problems, such as graffiti and fly-tipping, and also to tackle anti-sociable behaviour problems.

“The work which is carried out has been identified by each local Safer Neighbourhood Group and, as result, the residents also have empowerment and satisfaction in getting these results.”

Weeks of Action involve teams from the Police, Fire Service, local authorities and voluntary agencies, working with residents to tackle crime related issues and improve the quality of their lives.

During the course of these dedicated weeks multi-agency teams visit a neighbourhood, advice about security and crime prevention and tackle issues such as auto-crime.

Senior officers also believe community and policing initiatives such as Neighbourhood Watch, Off-Licence Watch, Business Watch, Smartwater and Ringmaster, have all helped raise awareness of offending and reduce crime.

T/Supt Bombroffe added: “South Nottinghamshire Police has built up strong relationships with public, private and voluntary agencies, through initiatives like the CDRPs, which is now paying dividends.

“By listening to residents and businesses, the force will continue to develop strong Neighbourhood Policing and help reduce crime in your community.”

Community Partnerships Manager David Jayne, of Gedling Borough Council, said: “These crime reduction results have only been achieved because of effective partnership working.

“One of the key factors in the CDRP’s success is that it takes on board views from the community, residents’ groups and the Safer Neighbourhood Groups and responds to them.

“In an effort to maintain these reductions in Gedling the CDRP will continue to make improvements in the way it addresses the problems, which most concern its communities.”

Councillor Eddie Fearon, Portfolio Holder for Community Safety at Rushcliffe Borough Council, said: “ It’s great news that crime has dropped so significantly in South Nottinghamshire.

“It shows what can be achieved through partnership working. Rushcliffe is the safest borough in Nottinghamshire, but we want to make it even safer by continuing to work together with residents to keep up the fight against crime.”

Cllr Frank Prince, who chairs Broxtowe Borough Council's Community Safety Forum, said: “I'm delighted that we've seen such significant reductions in crime across the South Nottinghamshire area over the last year and particularly in my own area of Broxtowe.

“I know that everyone in a wide range of organisations has worked really hard together to bring about these significant reductions, and I know these efforts will continue during the coming year to make sure we build on this success.”