CENTRAL Devon MP Mel Stride has welcomed new statistics from the independent Crime Survey of England and Wales that show overall crime fell by 15% in 2013. The 7.5 million crimes that were reported against households and adults during the year are the fewest in any year since records began in 1981. Welcoming the figures Central Devon MP Mel Stride said: 'I know how hard police officers in my constituency and across the country work everyday to keep our towns and villages safe. The force as a whole has had to do more with fewer resources and they've risen to the challenge admirably. 'The Government also deserves credit for creating an environment where the police can do their jobs effectively by reducing the bureaucratic burden on officers, enabling them to spend more time out on the beat.' The MP described the 25% drop in household theft, 22% overall drop in violent crimes and 13% drop in crimes against children as 'especially significant'.