CRIME figures for Trowbridge reveal nearly a 30 per cent increase in violent crime this summer on the same period last year but police chiefs say the town is still one of the safest areas to live, with a 38 per cent drop in crime in the town centre.

For the period April 1 to August 31 there were 1,293 crimes reported in the town, representing a one per cent increase on crime overall.

Inspector Jon Tapper, head of Trowbridge police, said: "Crime is on the increase nationally, part and parcel of that is the new recording criteria because the way we record crime has changed.

"For a town the size of Trowbridge and the nature of the town I would suggest that is not that excessive and it is still one of the safest areas in which to live."

Crime for C-division, which extends from Chippenham to Warminster and includes Trowbridge, rose by seven per cent for the period, with Salisbury division, which includes Devizes, recording an eight per cent rise and Swindon 15 per cent.

In the five-month period there were 172 violent crimes recorded in Trowbridge, an increase of 28 per cent on last year.

Burglaries in peoples' homes rose by nine per cent with 63 homes broken into.

Insp Tapper said: "It is not many, but still too many.

"A lot of them were burglaries where individuals can take responsibility themselves for security.

"Finding doors not locked and windows left open is common. It is not every case but it is common."

Vehicle crime rose by 25 per cent, with most of the vehicles broken into being outside owners' homes.

Insp Tapper said: "Car crime is not occurring predominantly in the town centre or the car parks. It is occurring outside peoples' houses. Perhaps it is the belief it is 'outside my castle'."

Car crime figures for the next period are expected to rise sharply, with 31 car aerials attacked in one September night in the town.

Operation Clampdown, carried out in the town centre over the summer period, has been hailed a success and, with the introduction of CCTV, has seen a drop in crime.

Town centre crime has reduced by 38 per cent, with thefts dropping by 31 per cent, assaults by 28 per cent and criminal damage by 30 per cent.

There were no robberies in the town centre.

Insp Tapper said: "There are some positives. CCTV in combination with positive media coverage and high-profile policing has contributed to the reduction in crime."