The number of burglaries has fallen across the UK

Falling demand for stolen TVs, videos and other household goods may explain reduced house-breaking, the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) said.

In 2003-4, burglaries fell by 8% in England and Wales, by 10% in Scotland and by 11.7% in Northern Ireland.

Acpo's National Strategic Assessment also repeated the warning that forces could face a �350m shortfall next year.

The document said burglary remained a priority area for most police forces, along with anti-social behaviour, class A drugs, counter-terrorism, roads policing, vehicle crime and violent crime.

But it said: "Several police forces suggest that second-hand goods are becoming less saleable, as people prefer to buy new goods, hence the overall reduction in house burglary.

"This trend may correlate with incidents of shoplifting and theft of lorry loads to obtain new and unused goods which can be more readily disposed of."

Warning

The document, which highlights major policing issues, also repeated Acpo's claim that a funding increase of nearly 6% is needed next year to maintain current officer numbers but that forces may receive only a 3% rise.

"The police service wants to avoid any reduction in frontline policing, but this is a real possibility," it warned.

Acpo and the Association of Police Authorities visited the Houses of Parliament to lobby MPs on the issue last month.