THE AMOUNT of crime committed in Wotton-under-Edge has been reduced, residents have been told.

But, despite an overall reduction in crime, domestic burglaries and violent crime have risen.

Insp Paul Donovan told people at the Police Community Consultative Meeting for the Dursley inspector neighbourhood area last week, howwever, the rises were down to the way crime of those types were recorded, pointing out: "They are up everywhere."

He went on: "In Wotton crime is all down on the same point last year. Last year we had 263 crimes but we are down to 221. It is a step in the right direction.

"Vehicle crime is down. Violent crime is up but that is up everywhere which is to do with how we record crime. Domestic burglaries are up but that is everywhere.

"Criminal damage in 2003-04 was at 107. From 2004-05 it was at 55 - it is almost reduced by half.

"On the disorder front, if we go back to this time last year, there were 246 incidents. This year it is 163 incidents. It is a massive reduction and we can be proud of that - it is all good news really."

In response to concerns raised about police response times to crimes in the town Insp Donovan said that officers were reaching their target times.

He said: "In Wotton we get to 93 percent of incidents in our target time. Some people have expressed concern that we take our time to get to emergencies but I can reassure you that is not the case."

Residents were also told that one person had been made the subject of an anti-social behaviour order. Insp Donovan added: "We are working to get a few more as they are a very powerful tool."