ASSAULT RATES MORE THAN HALVED AROUND MID NORTH COAST

Grabbing a beer at your local Mid North Coast watering hole is now the safest it’s been in a decade.

New statistics from the Bureau of Crime Statistics has shown assault rates at venues in Manning-Hastings areas are down a whopping 53 per cent since 2009.

Authorities say the record figures are a result of a combination of factors.

“We’ve got licensees that over the last decade have just made it clear what they expect the behaviour of the patrons but we’ve also seen police working quite closely with the licensees.”

In Kempsey and Coffs Harbour…assault rates have fallen 42 per cent since 20-10.

(AUDIO IN PARTS)