Ref. 75704-13 Chief Supt Andrew TatumSWINDON police are winning the war against crime but yobs will have no hiding place says Swindon's chief superintendent.

Wiltshire is now officially the safest county in England and Wales and Swindon is one of the most crime-free towns of its size.

Swindon police figures show that between April and December last year there was a 5.5 per cent decrease in crime and a more than one per cent increase in the detection rate.

Robbery fell by 12 per cent, burglary by 13 per cent and there was also a fall in violent, drug and car crime offences as well as less criminal damage.

Police have praised positive publicity like the Adver's drugs hotline and anti car crime campaign for helping to nail wrongdoers.

Countywide, recorded offences fell by five per cent and the force reduced levels of crime in seven out of nine key areas, including burglary and violent crime. The performance figures mean Wilts has leapfrogged Surrey to become the safest county in England and Wales and Swindon ranks in the top third of comparable police divisions such as Milton Keynes and Basildon in Essex.

Chief Supt Andrew Tatam, divisional commander for Swindon, said: "There continues to be a downward trend in relation to overall crime across the county and in Swindon. Swindon continues to be fairing favourably in relation to crime levels and crime reduction to other comparable divisions."

But in spite of this success officers say they will not be complacent with planned crackdowns on drugs, anti-social behaviour, robbery and car crime as well as work to reduce the fear of crime.

Under the Home Office's campaign Operation Crackdown police aim to take out more drug suppliers in the town over the next three months.

And they will work closely with other agencies such as Swindon Council to ensure the downward trend in crime figures continues.

"In terms of violent crime we're working closely with the borough and local licensees to reduce it," said Chief Supt Tatam.

"We've upped our presence in the town centre during Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights and although there has been an increase in disorder-associated arrests there has been an overall reduction in crime." Chief Supt Tatam said the police's fight was being helped by campaigns like the ones run in the Adver. "Any positive publicity can help make a difference," he said.

Peter Vaughan, chief Constable of Wiltshire, said he was pleased with the figures.

"Overall, these most recent figures show that across Wiltshire and Swindon there are 1,700 less victims of crime than there were at the same time last year.

"This reflects not only the efforts of the force but also those of our partners and the communities we serve and we will continue to work together to build on this."

Crime figures decreased even though a large proportion of officers were tied up in two sudden death investigations Mick Love in Swindon and a double killing in Melksham.

Ben Payne