However Canobolas Local Area Command Superintendent Mark Szalajko confirmed that crime levels were particularly high in October 2008 and low in October 2007, so these latest figures represented a return to the “traditional” levels consistent with a city such as Orange.

In 2008 there were 41 assaults and this figure dropped to 29 in 2009 while break and enters dropped from 97 last year to 40 this year.

Fraud figures also saw a dramatic decrease with 38 fraud offences recorded in 2008 compared to 10 this year.

The latest figures also proved good news for car owners with 18 car thefts recorded in 2008 and 11 this year.

The incidences of steal from motor vehicle offences also dropped from 40 to 24.

Worried that Orange residents may be unduly concerned about the city’s crime rates, Superintendent Szalajko said he wanted to ensure local residents were given the “real picture” when it came to crime levels in the city.

“People’s perceptions are more important than crime figures,” he said.

According to Superintendent Szalajko when people are worried about crime levels in their city it can inhibit their ability to “move about freely within their community”.

Superintendent Szalajko said the latest figures represented “dramatic drops in a number of categories” and a range of factors were responsible.

“The reduction has been achieved through a significant increase in pro activity by police, and an increased level of confidence by the community in their police.

“Over the last six months, we have received a significant amount of information from the public that has led to many arrests.”