Overall crime in Northern Ireland is at its lowest level for six years, with a reduction of 7.7 per cent in 2004-5, according to PSNI Chief Constable Hugh Orde.
The number of recorded crimes fell from 127,953 to 118,124, a decrease of 7.7 per cent. Domestic burglary was down 18.4 per cent and non-domestic burglary down by 18.5 per cent.
There was a slight decrease of 223 (-0.7 per cent) in the number of violent crimes; robbery showed an overall decrease of 486 (-24.6 per cent); theft offences fell by 4,594 (-12.9 per cent); criminal damage fell by 970 (-3.0 per cent) and fraud and forgery offences fell by 1,075 (-17.1 per cent).
However, the figures showed that hate crimes had increased significantly. The number of racial incidents increased by 360, nearly 80 per cent, on last year, and homophobic incidents by 125 or 176 per cent.
Speaking at the publication of the PSNI annual statistics in Belfast today, Mr Orde said: "Overall, whilst not being complacent there is much that is positive in these figures. This is not to say that we will lighten up in our efforts to prevent and detect crime. . . . A number of areas still give us cause for concern and we will be focusing more on these in the current year.
"Maintaining public confidence in policing and reassuring our communities remains high on our agenda," Mr Orde added.