Wiltshire Police has the sixth lowest crime rate in England and remains one of the safest counties in the country, according to new figures.

There were 2,706 fewer crimes in Wiltshire between April 2009 and March 2010 according to the Home Office statistics, with all recorded crime falling by seven percent.

While the latest number of all crimes recorded in Wiltshire fell to 38,671, there was a 21 percent rise in sex offences.

In other crime areas, the number of burglaries recorded in offices, businesses, sheds and garages remain the same, but there was a drop in offences of robbery, down by 25 percent. Cases of criminal damage fell by 17 percent and offences relating to motor vehicle crime reduced by 14 percent.

Domestic burglaries increased by 311 offences.

The figures suggest Wiltshire police are the second best force in England for people’s perceptions of anti-social behaviour, the third best for dealing with drunken problem and the fifth best for dealing with drugs.

Assistant chief constable Mike Veale welcomed the figures and said the police force will continue to work hard to bring offenders to justice.

"We intend to continue allocating our resources to the areas where they are of most benefit and by working with partner agencies and the public through our Neighbourhood Policing Teams we will identify, target, arrest and prosecute those responsible for criminal activity and continue to build safer communities across the county," he added.

Chairman of Wiltshire Police Authority Chris Hoare said the top priorities for Wiltshire police are to tackle violent crime and deal with local issues of crime and anti-social behaviour.