POLICE in North Dorset are claiming a massive success in a crime reduction campaign during the school holidays.

Violent crime has been reduced by a staggering 60 per cent and house burglaries have fallen by 71 per cent in Shaftesbury and Gillingham.

Overall crime figures are well down - as are complaints of "boy racers" and anti-social behaviour - compared to the previous six-week period.

Officers have patrolled the two towns using a video car which has deterred young people from under-age drinking. The knock-on effect has been beyond expectation.

Insp Rick Dowell said the campaign was improving the quality of life for residents and making the towns safer for the majority of law-abiding youngsters.

"These figures speak for themselves," he said.

"The video car is an unprecedented success.

"I was confident that we would see reductions but not on this scale.

"Many violent confrontations have been diffused owing to the presence of the video car.

"It has a calming influence in potentially violent situations as people don't want their behaviour recorded on tape."

Some "prolific" burglars had been arrested and were awaiting trial which had been the main factor in the reduction of burglaries.

"But I think with the video car being out and about, other people are deterred," said Insp Dowell.

"The main issues are the violent crime, criminal damage and anti-social behaviour.

"Park Walk in Shaftesbury is one of the hot-spots for anti-social behaviour and under-age drinking.

"With regular patrols of the video car the local youth who used to gather to drink have disappeared."

The number of "boy racers" in

the Coppice Street car park had also been drastically reduced.

Operation Tattoo, which used the video tapes to educate children and parents about under-age drinking, was also looking successful.

"It's worked extremely well because we're just not getting the complaints and we're not seeing children drinking in public," he said.

"And it makes it far safer for the law-abiding children - the majority.

"They're then able to enjoy the gathering areas, they are not being bullied and not being tempted to drink under-age."

Off-licences had been visited in order to remind owners of obligations not to sell to young people.

"We've asked them to be aware of youngsters who are 18 who might be buying for younger children and to refuse to serve in some cases."