Overall crime across Northern Ireland is at a 15 year low, according to statistics released by the PSNI.

Crime has dropped by 2.9%, falling by 3,000, from 103,389 crimes in 2011/12 to 100,389 in 2012/13.

This makes it the lowest annual level of crime recorded by PSNI since the new Home Office counting rules were introduced in 1998/99.

It is the fourth consecutive year that a decrease in crime has been recorded.

Crime decreased in six of the 10 main crime classifications.

Offences of violence against the person were down by 0.7%, robberies were down by 17.0% and burglaries were down by 9.4%.

Offences against vehicles were down by 11.3%, criminal damage offences were down by 8.1% and other miscellaneous offences were down by 5.6%.

The report also saw increases in four other areas.

Sexual offences increased by 6.1%, ‘other theft’ offences rose by 0.2%, fraud & forgery rose by 15.2% and drug offences rose by 15.8%.

Chief Constable Matt Baggott said: "I am very pleased that reported crime has now fallen to a fifteen year low. Every day, police officers and police staff work tirelessly across Northern Ireland, to keep people safe and this shows that their courage, commitment and determination is making a real difference.

"This encouraging news should be seen alongside ever increasing levels of confidence in police and very positive victim satisfaction results. Taken together they show that policing is contributing fully to create a safer and positive future."

(IT/CD)