RESIDENTS have hit back at claims the street in which they live is plagued by crime and prostitution.

People living in Bond Street, Trowbridge, are angry at comments made by fellow residents about the area.

Annellie Sneddon, who has lived in the street since June said: "I am very happy here. It is a happy little place.

Yes, there is some trouble and there are problems but these things happen everywhere."

Ward councillor Jeff Osborn said the town council is aware of issues in the Newtown area as a whole and councillors and members of the Newtown Area Residents Association (NARA) are working to improve things.

He said: "There are a lot of people who like living in the area and if they can work together with myself and NARA we can get on top of it."

Steve Cladingboel, 47, has lived in Bond Street for 10 years and likes the area.

He said: "It is part of the Newtown conservation area and in the years I have lived here I have found it to be a very friendly, neighbourly and quiet street. And I have seen no evidence of prostitution."

In last week's Wiltshire Times several people living in the same street said they had been the victims of car crime, drunken rowdiness and arson and one couple said their friend had been approached by a vice girl in the street in the early evening.

The whole of the Newtown area is plagued by problems with parking and car crime, thought largely to be committed by people passing through after a night out on the town.

The police confirmed the area is one they make a point of patrolling because of problems with car crime and anti-social behaviour.