Crime reports have dropped by 25 percent between 2005 and 2008, the Home Affairs Ministry said.

It said in a statement that the number of criminal reports were reduced by 4,658 in the period with the number dropping from 18,461 in 2004 to 13,803 last year.

The biggest drop was in theft and damage to property reports. But while 3,000 less theft reports were filed, there was a marginal increase in reports related to fraud and drugs.

The ministry said it considered this to be a positive report when compared to similar statistics in other EU countries and one which honoured Maltese police officers.

The government was to remain committed to promote the force in its work by providing it with the legal tools and material to fight criminality and by strengthening human resources.

Some 100 new recruits were to start training at the Police Academy on Wednesday.

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