In the first six months of this year 157 fewer households were burgled in Newcastle, Kidsgrove and the Moorlands.

The largest reduction, of 57%, was in Cheadle and there was also a fall in the number of burglaries of commercial premises across the area of 27%.

Vehicle crime has gone down by 25% but there has been an increase in violence of 7%.

High rate

Ch Supt Steve Loxley, from Staffordshire Police, said: "Much work is ongoing to try and reduce the number of violent crimes.

"This includes the many initiatives in town centres, licensed premises and working in partnerships like the North Staffs Violence Forum.

"While I am disappointed to see the rise in violence, I am pleased that people do feel able to report these matters to us.

"It is an area where there is a very high detection rate for the year to date, just over 65%."