There was a slight increase in the amount of crime reported in Staffordshire during the first six months of this year, but the number of violent crimes dropped by two percent.
House burglaries were down by eight per cent during the same period, from 1,137 to 1,047, and robberies also dropped by ten per cent, from 222 to 200.
Deputy Chief Constable David Swift, who yesterday announced the force's latest figures to members of Staffordshire Police Authority, said: "This is the first time since the year 2000 that violence has dropped. More than two thirds of violence is being solved. We've been putting massive efforts into tackling violence in all of its guises, and are delighted that our efforts are showing dividends.
"The overall reduction in violence has been achieved despite our continuing to encourage victims of domestic violence to report it as soon as possible. More people are coming forward, and we're successfully investigating and prosecuting more cases - 80 per cent, compared to 72 per cent a year ago.
"Crime overall rose only very slightly during the three months, by one per cent, or 377 offences, to 26,251. We had the equivalent of just one extra vehicle crime a day across the entire force area - up by 91 offences to 2,923 in total.
"In the months to come we'll be doing everything we can to reverse this small rise in overall crime, as well as to maintain our successes tackling violence in Staffordshire."
The force also hit criminals in the pocket by maximising its use of the Proceeds of Crime Act - in the three months to June, more than £235,000 of assets were seized, and officers started court actions to recover around a further £300,000.
Det Chief Const Swift said: "Thanks to our powers under the Police Property Act, we have also been able to sell seized goods and make £ 42,000- worth of charitable donations with the proceeds. We were delighted to present £30,000 to Partners Assuring a Safer Staffordshire and £12,000 to charities which support victims of rape."
