THE STREETS of Swindon are now a safer, less violent place according to new statistics released yesterday.

The Office of National Statistics released the latest national crime figures showing that crime in Wiltshire has dropped by seven per cent year-on-year, which equates to nearly 3,300 fewer victims of crime.

The biggest reduction in Swindon and the surrounding areas was in house burglaries, which dropped by 37.7 per cent, while serious violent crime, such as grievous bodily harm, fell by eight per cent, robbery fell 18.4 per cent and violence in public reduced by 4.7 per cent.

Swindon Superintendent Gavin Williams paid tribute to his officers but said they would not relent in the drive to reduce crime.

He said: “Reducing crime is what we set out to do and we will not be complacent. We are always looking for different and better ways to try and bring it down.

“Success breeds success and our team of officers focused on doing their absolute best. It is challenging times for all public services at the moment and we are balancing that with a commitment to drive down crime.

“Our partners are fully engaged, including Swindon Council and the Community Safety Partnership, and we are all working well together.”

Countywide, the force had a reduction of 46.5 per cent in robbery, which is the largest reduction seen nationally. The Force is also placed third nationally for the lowest dwelling burglary rates.

Local initiatives continued throughout the summer, to raise awareness of vehicle crime, which has also seen a reduction of 16 per cent. This is the fourth largest rate of reduction in England. This compares to a national reduction of 5.4 per cent. Police continue to help the public keep their personal belongings and vehicles safe.

Wiltshire Police Chief Constable Pat Geenty and the Swindon and Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner Angus Macpherson have hailed the statistics, which suggest the current crime rate in the county is the seventh lowest in England.

Chief Constable Patrick Geenty said: “These statistics illustrate that the hard work of my police officers and staff is effective. However, we could not achieve these reductions without the assistance of the public. I continue to encourage the communities of Wiltshire to keep talking, to me and the Commissioner, about the issues they care about.

“Moving forward, I hope to see further reductions influenced by our proactive days of action under Operation Harness. I am committed to a way of working that listens to what is important to the communities that live and work in Wiltshire.”

Mr Macpherson said: “Fewer victims of crime is something for the county and Swindon to be proud of. Three thousand fewer victims is something to celebrate.

“The Chief Constable and the Constabulary are fully signed up to my number one priority – cutting crime. They are working hard, the community is right behind them and the results are encouraging. My job is to ensure that we stay on track.

“I face a difficult decision about the police part of the council tax for next year. We have coped with budget cuts so far, but more are on the way.

“I will consider the community view very closely. My impression is that the over- riding priority will be to make sure the Constabulary has the resources it needs to do the job.”