Total recorded crime in the Dunedin and Clutha local authority areas decreased by 5.6 % in the year to 31 December 2010.
The total number of recorded offences in 2010 was 11,716, down from 12,405 in 2009.
Dunedin and Clutha Police also solved more crime, with the resolution rate up from 48.7% in 2009 to 50.8% in 2010.
"The figures for 2010 demonstrate great results for Dunedin and Clutha, and reflect the consistent efforts of our staff working hard to reduce crime, as well as improved tasking and co-ordination methods. These results mean fewer victims and safer communities," said Inspector Dave Campbell.
The number of assaults (excluding sexual assaults) decreased by 7.2% in 2010 (1322 down from 1424).
Sexual assaults and related offences also decreased by 1.4% (73 to 72).
Burglaries and thefts from dwellings decreased by 6.6%, with 71 fewer offences in 2010 compared with the previous year (1073 down to 1002).
Theft and related offences, which includes motor vehicle theft, decreased by 2.9% (3555 down to 3452), while the number of illicit drug offences was relatively steady, increasing by 0.3%.
Offences related to property damage were down 6% (2598 down to 2441).
Public order offences such as disorderly conduct and offensive conduct were down 7.3% (1364 down to 1265) compared with 2009.
District results
Recorded offences in Southern District (Southland and Otago) dropped by 7.6% in 2010.
Southern District Commander, Superintendent Bob Burns, said the 7.6% drop in Southern is a pleasing result his staff should be proud of.
"Strategies and policies taken at a national, district and area level are continuing to make a positive difference in our communities. Southern District has made significant and ongoing changes which will make our communities even safer," he said.
These changes have included tasking staffing according to short, medium and long-term problems; improving flexible and proactive capability and using better intelligence to direct staff to locations where offences are likely to be committed.
Southern Police are also solving more crime. At a district level the resolution rate rose to 54.6% in 2010, up from 51.9% in 2009.
"This result is particularly pleasing because it shows that not only are we able to reduce crime in our communities, but we are also getting better at identifying those who are doing the offending," Superintendent Burns said.
Superintendent Burns said total recorded crime for Southern, per head of population, is the lowest it has been for 15 years.
At a national level, recorded offences dropped by 5.6% or 25,000 in total. New Zealand's resident population rose by just over 1% during the period, meaning recorded offences per head of population dropped nationally by 6.7%.
ENDS