Swindon has received a national town safety award for its work in cracking down on crime.

The Safer Shopping Award has been given to the town by the Government's Home Office Crime Reduction team and Swindon is one of 68 towns and cities in the country to receive it.

Swindon was chosen because of the work carried out since 1998 by the Swindon Crime Initiative Partnership, known as SCRIP, to reduce crime and make the area a safe environment in which to work, live and visit.

Barry Lingard, chief executive of Swindon Initiative which is a member of the partnership, said: "We worked hard to get this award and we have received it because of a number of good practises we have set up which are spreading into other towns."

SCRIP, a partnership between retailers, police and Swindon Council, has introduced alcohol-restricted zones, radio links to Pubwatch and plans on how to deal with major incidents.

Now it has won the award, SCRIP hopes it can gain funding for other projects, especially one targeted at reducing begging in the town.

The charity style set-up would have a centralised system for people to donate to, which would, in turn, pay for the management of homes for the homeless and beggars.

There are plans to increase CCTV coverage and for a report centre for lost childrenin the town centre.

Mr Lingard said: "We want all our clients, visitors, shoppers and workers to feel comfortable in the town.

"With these initiatives we are sending a clear message to the criminals that if they do come to Swindon they will be caught.

"Creating a safer environment, fits with other developments to make Swindon a greater place to shop, work and live."