CRIME statistics have revealed that Wiltshire is the 4th safest county in England and Wales with a drop in crime four times the national average.

The Office for National Statistics released the latest national crime figures on January 22, showing that Wiltshire’s crime has seen a 2 per cent decrease in comparison to a 0.5 per cent decrease nationally.

There has also been an 18 per cent reduction in vehicle crime with 604 fewer incidents compared to a national reduction of just 6 per cent.

However there has been an increase in violent offences with Wiltshire having a 2 per cent increase on the national average of 16 per cent and a rise in sexual offences, up by 20 per cent in the county.

Chief Constable Patrick Geenty said: “It is good to see that, in the main, crime is still reducing in Wiltshire. It is reassuring to see that the work we are doing has had tangible success and we shall continue to work closely with our partners as a victim-focused police service.

“We are in line with the national picture around violence and have a good understanding of how improved recording practices have impacted on the amount of recorded sex offences. Rest assured we will not become complacent in these areas.”