THERE have been more than 1,000 fewer victims of crime in Wiltshire in the last six months compared to the same period last year, according to figures released by Wiltshire Police.

Recorded crime from April to September is six per cent lower than for the same period last year, which equates to 1,332 fewer victims of crime.

Violent crime figures show there have been 216 fewer victims.

Vehicle crime has dropped by 2.5 per cent, meaning 64 fewer victims in the past seven months, and domestic burglary has fallen by 10 per cent, equating to 137 fewer victims.

Chief Superintendent Julian Kirby said he was "very pleased" with the figures.

"This result reflects the commitment and hard work of the force and we constantly strive to maintain our position as the second safest county in England in which to live and work," he said.

The figures are unofficial but present a favourable picture of crime levels in the county and mirror national crime figures released on Friday.

British Crime Survey figures show crime nationally has dropped by seven per cent in the last quarter and national police recorded crime figures suggest a five per cent drop.

National recorded levels for robbery fell by 15 per cent and for vehicle crime by 18 per cent while domestic burglary incidents tumbled by 23 per cent.

There were 553 house burglaries in Wiltshire in the past year and eight per cent of them were distraction burglaries.

These offences are being continually targeted by Operation Litotes, aimed at beating bogus callers, set up in April 2002.

Data indicates this type of crime has reduced by 72 per cent in the past two years.

A Wiltshire Police spokesman said: "This crime is predominantly conducted by travelling criminals and mainly targeted at the most vulnerable sections of our community, the elderly.

"The effects on these victims can be particularly devastating, not only losing their savings but having their health deteriorate as a result of the trauma."

Firearms offences have continued to pose a problem for Wiltshire Police.

The police spokesman said: "The majority of firearms incidents in Wiltshire relate to inappropriate use of BB guns, air weapons and imitation firearms.

"Although such items do not need a licence, owners need to be aware that inappropriate use of these in a public place can lead to arrest."

National recorded figures show a fall in 10 per cent in the use of handguns but a rise in 35 per cent in the use of replica firearms and an increase of three per cent in overall firearms offences.