The Evening Post in Bristol has been praised by the region’s most senior police officer for helping reduce the city’s robbery rate by a staggering 21 per cent.

Avon and Somerset Chief Constable Steve Pilkington said the paper’s hard-hitting Save Our Streets campaign had been instrumental in helping turn around Bristol’s chronic street crime problem.

Between April and September 2001 the robbery rate across the force area increased by 77 per cent – which led to it being identified by the Government as one of the UK’s top 10 mugging hotspots.

But between April and October 2002 – during which time Save Our Streets was launched – there were 439 fewer victims than the same period last year – which equates to a 21 per cent fall.

Mr Pilkington said: “Save Our Streets has been very timely in keeping the issues of street crime very much in the minds of potential victims.”

As well as praising the efforts of his officers, the community, council, charities, local agencies and the media he singled out the Post for special praise.

He said: “We are especially grateful for the support of the Evening Post and its Save Our Streets campaign. The issues are so important that we must continue to keep the public fully informed.”

Post editor Mike Lowe said: “The community response to Save Our Streets has been magnificent. Everybody has a part to play in reducing the risk of becoming a victim.”

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