Vehicle crime in Westbury rose last year, although there were fewer reports of other types of criminal offences than in the previous 12 months.

The latest police performance figures show a 33 per cent rise in vehicle crime in 2012, with 28 more reports between January and December 2012 than in 2011.

Police received 86 reports of vehicle crime during 2011, but 114 reports in 2012.

The data, presented to Westbury Area Board last week also showed a big reduction in reports of all other types of crime.

The rate of domestic burglaries was down by 41 per cent while non-domestic burglaries were down by 43 per cent.

Reports of anti-social behaviour fell by 30 per cent, compared with 2011, recording 502 such incidents in 2012.

There was also a reduction in reports of victim based crime by 20 per cent, criminal damage and arson by 15 per cent and a fall of two per cent in violence.

Inspector Lindsey Winter said: “The performance figures for Westbury and the surrounding villages for this reporting period continue to show better results when compared to this time last year, which is good news.

“The figures show a reduction in all crime types, except vehicle crime, while the detection rates have also slightly improved. There is still work we can do, but we are making good progress. There is still a challenge with vehicle crime.”

Westbury Area Board member Cllr David Jenkins said: “It’s good to see that reports of crime are on the decrease in most cases. It seems that there needs to be more education with regards to preventing vehicle crime, possibly some sort of campaign to educate people about the risks of leaving valuables on show.”