CAMBRIDGESHIRE police has undergone a dramatic improvement in performance , according to the latest official figures released by the Home Office. In each of seven overall categories of performance including reducing and investigating crime, the force is

CAMBRIDGESHIRE police has undergone a "dramatic improvement in performance", according to the latest official figures released by the Home Office.

In each of seven overall categories of performance including reducing and investigating crime, the force is marked as "improved".

Grading for the year up to March 31 this year, shows the force awarded three "goods" and four "fairs" compared with 2004/05 when it was given just one "good" four "fairs" and one "poor".

The latest, annual assessment figures for forces across Britain, also give Cambridgeshire its first "excellent" grading for dealing with violent crime - and three other "excellent" grades for detection, offences brought to justice and efficiency savings.

The force's performance in reducing overall crime is highlighted by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) which also pays tribute to its Major Investigation Team's success in securing three life sentences for murder within one month and the implementation of neighbourhood policing teams.

HMIC also describes the E-Cops scheme, which gives a two-way email link with the public about crime and local issues, as "innovative".

"Performance improvement in the past year includes the robust drive on sanction detection rates and improving customer focus, while the introduction of community support officers has been, and continues to be, fully embraced," says HMIC.

Kate Flannery, HMIC for the eastern region, said: "I must congratulate Cambridgeshire on their performance.

I have seen a real and positive turnaround in the organisation, which is good for the constabulary and very good for the people they serve."

"I am very, very pleased," said Cambridgeshire chief constable, Julie Spence. "This assessment is proof, just like performance figures issued earlier this year, that we have taken giant strides in detecting and fighting crime and offering reassurance to the community."

Chairman of Cambridgeshire Police Authority, Michael Williamson, said: "The police authority is delighted with the marked improvements identified by HMIC.

Clearer direction and better management of resources has resulted in effective reorganisation to deal with our primary concern - the successful detection and investigation of crime.

"Our communities can be reassured that Cambridgeshire and Peterborough are among the safest places in Britain to live, work or visit. Increases in police community support officers, the introduction of neighbourhood policing and the establishment of centralised functions such as the Major Investigations Team, have all played a vital role in these significant improvements.