Recorded crime in Wiltshire has fallen and the county remains the sixth safest county in England, Home Office figures show.

Between April 2009 and March a total of 38,671 crimes were recorded in Wiltshire, a drop of 2,706 or seven per cent, on the previous year.

There was a rise in crimes of violence by two per cent, sexual offences by 21 per cent and house burglaries by 311 offences. But robbery was down by 25 per cent, criminal damage by 17 per cent and motor vehicle crime down by 14 per cent.

The force’s detection rate dropped by one per cent to 30. The detection rate for England is 28 per cent.

Wiltshire’s detection rate is above the national average for all crimes including 52 per cent for violence, 31 per cent for sexual offences and 28 per cent for robbery.

The number of violent offences involving a knife went down from 200 to 157.

Superintendent Gavin Williams said the rise in sexual offences was as a result of the police encouraging victims to report such crimes. He said: “We have put together a far more robust and sensitive victim care process and we are seeing a rise in figures. Instead of people suffering in silence they are reporting crimes.”

Chris Hoare, chairman of Wiltshire Police Authority, said: “Two of the top priorities for Wiltshire Police this year are to tackle violent crime and deal with local issues of crime and anti-social behaviour.

“We expect equal success but we recognise this will have to be achieved with less resource available given the challenging financial environment.”