Bedfordshire's embattled police service is well on the road to recovery, force bosses said this week after a huge drop in reported crimes was announced.

New Police Authority figures show overall crime fell by 10 per cent and violent crime by 15 per cent between April 2007 and March this year.

The news has been greeted with delight at police HQ, but chiefs have nevertheless been alarmed by a huge rise in house burglaries across the county, which went up by 27 per cent.

Chief Constable Gillian Parker was unavailable for comment when this website tried to contact her, but a police spokeswoman speaking on her behalf said: 'This report accurately reflects the hard work and commitment which has been made to improve the service we provide to the people of Bedfordshire.

'I am delighted that crime has fallen overall by more than 10 per cent, which equates to around 6,000 fewer victims of crime, but we are not complacent and realise there is still much we can do to provide the service our communities need and want.'

For the full story see the May 14 edition of the Luton News/Dunstable Gazette, on sale at 40p.

Bedfordshire Police