SWINDON and Wiltshire remain among the safest locations to live across the country after the latest round of crime figures was released - but sexual offences have risen.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has reported a more than two-and-a-half per cent drop in recorded crime for the year ending March 2015.

Meanwhile, there was an increase of just over two per cent across England and Wales compared to the same period across 2013 and 2014.

The figures show Wiltshire remains the fourth lowest county for volume of crime per 1,000 people.

However, recorded sex offences have increased by 46 per cent, matching the national trend.

This means an increase of 511 recorded offences for the 12-month period, but the force is putting this down to better recording practises and greater confidence from victims in reporting.

Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon, Angus Macpherson, said: “I have regular updates from Wiltshire Police statisticians so I have a good understanding of the context behind these figures.

“I continue to be confident that the increases in some areas, such as sexual offences and violence, do reflect greatly improved crime recording practices, partnership working and a change in some Home Office counting rules.

“I have the right checks and balances in place to hold the chief constable to account and the public can be confident that I will continue to represent them and to keep a close watch on the crime figures.

“In my draft police and crime plan I have signalled my intention to bring an end to the targets culture at Wiltshire Police in favour of a victim-focused approach.

“However, these crime figures will continue to be important because they inform us about the overall levels of reported crime in our county.

“One of my strategic priorities is to put victims first. We have been working hard to encourage victims to step forward and report sex offences to the police.

“There is a lot of professional help available for victims, including the recently established Horizon Victim and Witness Care, which I am funding together with Wiltshire Police.”

In Wiltshire, there has been a 22 per cent fall in vehicle crime, a reduction of 527 offences.

Theft offences are down by 10 per cent with 1,525 fewer incidents recorded, while drug offences are down by 15 per cent, with 216 fewer offences.

There has also been a drop in the number of incidents of shoplifting, theft from person and non-domestic burglary. Overall, burglary is down eight per cent.

Violence with injury has seen an 11 per cent increase, with offences up from 3,712 to 4,176.

Violence without injury (which includes harassment) rose by 13 per cent (3,009 offences up to 3,476). This reflects the national trend across England and Wales.

Chief Constable of Wiltshire Police, Mike Veale, said: “These statistics are as a direct result of the hard work and dedication of our colleagues who do so much to ensure we remain one of the safest counties in the country.

"Despite the complexities and challenges the force faces, we will continue to maintain a high quality and reassuring presence in our local communities.

“We will be moving away from a target driven culture and shall be putting witnesses and victims at the heart of what we do.

“I will continue to work to ensure Wiltshire Police maintains the highest standard of service to the protect the public from harm.”