Unemployment is dropping across Watford, Three Rivers and Hertsmere, latest benefit claimant figure have shown.

The numbers of people claiming Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) in the area have been dropping steadily since last year.

However across the board the numbers are still higher than before the credit crunch began in 2008.

The figures showed that Watford had been the worst hit during the recession. In January 2008 before the recession hit 1.3 per cent of the 16 to 64-year-olds in borough were claiming JSA.

As during the height of the economic troubles that swelled to three per cent of the borough’s workforce were claiming JSA. Since last year the numbers of claimants has steadily dropped to around 1.9 per cent.

It was a similar picture in Hertsmere where 1.2 per cent were claiming JSA before the recession.

That rose to 2.7 per cent it at height of the unemployment and has now dropped back down to 1.5 per cent.

Three Rivers has seen the lowest number of claimants in the area. The district had 0.9 per cent before the credit crunch, 2.1 per cent at the height and has declined to 1.2 per cent.