Senior officers have resisted the pressure to merge

The force had the fourth largest reduction of total crime nationally, down 7% between April 2005 and March 2006 against a national average of 1%.

It has waged a campaign against any merger with Dorset, Avon and Somerset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire.

The force said it welcomed the figures, which proved it was "fit for purpose".

Debate uncertainty

Violent crime in Devon and Cornwall was 10% less than the previous year - the third largest fall nationally, according to the Crime in England and Wales 2005/06 results. This compared to a 2% average national increase.

Domestic burglary fell by 13%, against a national drop of 5%, while vehicle crime fell by 8%, compared to a 3% average fall nationally.

Burglary had fallen by 39% since 1998, and vehicle crime was down by 38% for the same period.

The force had also improved its sanction detection rates by 4%, with 25% of all crimes now detected. This compared to a national average of 24%, which was up by 3%.

Force reshaped

Deputy Chief Constable Nigel Arnold said: "Devon and Cornwall Constabulary welcomes these positive crime figures - particularly the big reduction in total and violent crime."

"The debate around Devon and Cornwall Constabulary becoming part of a large South West force has undoubtedly brought about a great deal of uncertainty."

He said the force was also being reshaped to ensure that it had the right resources in the right places to further increase efficiency and add make it better able to meet "modern-day threats".

He added: "We have consistently argued that the force is fit for purpose and, importantly, we have demonstrated this time and again when you look at our record on serious and major crime investigation."

Those opposed to the merging of police forces feared any moves would mean a headquarters in Bristol, making senior officers remote and unaccountable.