The jailing of a prolific armed burglar and targeting of other known criminals is being cited as a reason why no burglaries have been carried out in the Corsham area since Christmas.

There were also only two offences of violence reported to Wiltshire Police.

Inspector Phil Staynings announced the January statistics to the Corsham Area Board meeting last Thursday.

He said only two domestic offences had taken place and there had been no reported burglaries in the area.

He put this down to Wiltshire Police’s targeting of specific individuals, citing the conviction of Malmesbury armed burglar Christopher Pike, jailed for a string of thefts across north Wiltshire.

He praised the success of the previous Blues’n’Zues Christmas Party for young people and confirmed another youth disco is planned for Valentine’s Day.

Mike Franklin, of Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, told the board there had been six fires in December, five of which were accidental. He said most were chimney fires and urged people to ensure flues were kept clear.