Between April 2005 and March 2006 total crime fell by 6.2 per cent, compared with 2004/05 with 124,533 crimes logged. Violent crime fell by 9.7 per cent, down to 27,398 incidents. Detective Chief Supt Jim Webster, head of crime for the force, said: 'These are an excellent set of annual crime figures with major reductions in burglary, vehicle crime and, most importantly, violent crime. 'At the same time we have seen an increase in our sanction detection rate. Over 8,000 fewer crimes have been reported this year than last. Devon and Cornwall was already one of the safest places in the country to live. These figures make it even more so.'