REPORTED crime in Lechlade has gone down by 34 per cent since last year, according to the police.

Speaking at a Lechlade Town Council meeting on Monday, PCSO Andrea Shutt said: β€œIn the year to date, the overall crime stands at a total of 66. This compares to 100 this same period last year.”

However, PSCO Shutt said in the period August 1-31 there were 10 crimes committed compared to eight in the same period last year.

She said the crimes in August consisted of three thefts, three incidents of criminal damage, two incidents of violence and two other crimes which she did describe any further.

Former Cirencester Rural South beat manager PC Mark Weedon took over Fairford and Lechlade from PC Stewart Liddle-Peters on September 4.

PC Weedon has been a police officer for nine-and-a-half years and started his career in the West Midlands before moving to the Cotswolds.

PCSOs Bethan Calloway-Green and Gemma Butcher will continue in Fairford and Lechlade, while PC Weedon will also cover Cirencester Rural North as beat manager.