CRIME levels have significantly reduced in the Avon and Somerset Force area, a new survey has revealed.

A few years ago there were 120 robberies every week in the force area.

That has now been reduced to 35.

There have also been substantial reductions in the number of burglaries, robberies and vehicle crimes over the last year, with figures down by 10% or more.

The force has also worked hard to increase the number of offenders brought to justice (up by a third) and to reduce the number of road traffic collisions resulting in death or serious injury.

The results have come from the British Crime Survey, which covers the year to September 2005.

Tony Rush, chairman of the police authority's performance and audit committee, said: "Both the authority and the constabulary have set improving performance as the top priority.

"The police authority set the force some challenging targets and we are pleased to see the majority of these targets have been met.

"We must, however, continue this improvement trend in the coming year."

One of the areas the force will be focusing on is the number of 999 and non-emergency calls.

But the survey not only shows good results for the force, but also that the public is noticing their improvement.

The survey shows 53% or local people now think the force is doing a good job, compared with 49% previously.

Fear of becoming a victim of crime has also reduced, from 14.6% to 12.9%.