JUDGE McNaught's comments and the subsequent ones from Chief Superintendent Andrew Tatam, which your paper covered, and how people reacted to them, highlighted a question that is at the heart of the work of the Criminal Justice Board.

The Wiltshire Criminal Justice Board has been given the responsibility by government to increase public confidence in the justice system and to tackle fear of crime in our communities. They are asking the question; why are people getting more afraid of crime at a time when crime rates are actually falling?

The crime statistics for Wiltshire speak for themselves. Wiltshire is the second safest county in the country recorded crime has dropped six per cent so far this year. This means, compared to the same point last year, there have been: 1332 less victims of crime overall; 216 less victims of violent crime and 64 less victims of vehicle crime

So why is it that when people walk through Swindon, or other towns in Wiltshire, they can still feel nervous?

One thing we need to realise is that individual fear and statistical fact are both important and appropriate responses to crime. But they mustn't be mixed up.

We realise that if crime statistics are falling it doesn't necessarily help one's personal feelings of fear. Even if there was only one violent crime per year, as individuals walking alone at night we can still feel nervous, quite rightly, as we could be that one victim. Hearing of cases in the media, through friends and family or own experiences can heighten that nervousness and those that work in the justice system are only too aware of what could happen.

Wiltshire Criminal Justice Board is made up of the seven agencies and through these and its partners in the Swindon Safer Communities Executive board it is looking at lots of initiatives to help us tackle both aspects the reality of crime and the fear of crime. This work covers everything from CCTV and improved street lighting through to special measures to tackle unsocial behaviour as well as violent crime.

If people would like to know more about the Confidence Plan that has been developed by the Wiltshire Criminal Justice Board they can visit www.cjsonline.org/lcjb/ wiltshire. Or you can contact the Wiltshire Criminal Justice Board Confidence Officer, Phillip Martin on 01380 735735.

DIANA FULBROOK

Chief Officer of Wiltshire Probation Area and Chair of Wiltshire Criminal Justice Board