THE number of reported knife crimes in Swindon and Wiltshire is the lowest in the country after dropping more than 60 per cent in the past five years.

Figures released by the Ministry of Justice spelled out how many instances of knife and offensive weapon possession had been recorded within each police force.

In the 12 months ending September 2014, Wiltshire Police had just 83 cases - down from 214 offences in 2009.

The figure, one of only two police force areas across the nation below 100, was the lowest from a UK force, and significantly lower than last year’s total too, which was 136.

However, the ministry also takes into account the size of Wiltshire Police’s area and its population, with another comparatively low number of 14 cases per 100,000 members of the population.

This figure is only bettered by Surrey, which encounters 13 instance of knife possession per 100,000 people.

In total, there were 15,765 knife crime offences in England and Wales this year, compared with 28,437 in 2008.

However, some forces were high, with Metropolitan Police returning the number of offences at 3,276 this year – 200 more than last year.

West Midlands Police had the second highest number of offences with 810. Greater Manchester is ranked third highest with 733.

Metropolitan Police also tops the table for population rates, with 45 offences per 100,000.

The statistics provided by the ministerial department do not cover all knife crimes.

Robert Buckland, South Swindon MP and barrister, said: “The fact it has declined dramatically is encouraging.

“We all worry, especially as parents, about the prevalence of knife-carrying among young people.

“I have had some bitter experiences of this involving serious injuries and deaths among young people.

“In many instances those young people hurt have been stabbed by the blade they were carrying.

“If young people bring a blade with them and it gets dropped or used in a fight, quite often they will be on the receiving end of it.

“Knife crime is treated seriously by the courts if serious injury or deaths ensue.

“Knives are dangerous weapons, just as dangerous and frightening as a gun.

“It’s encouraging to note the prevalence of knife crime has been declining.

“Swindon is a relatively sleepy, safe place to live in comparison to many places across the UK.

“I will continue to support the police in their work to reduce knife crime.

“The message must be: don’t carry knives. Knives are lethal. A knife will make a situation worse for both those responsible and those on the receiving end.”

Supt Andrew Carr said: “Wiltshire Police positively recognise the number of knife possession offences in the county has declined since 2009.

“Wiltshire is a safe county to live in, however, for every knife crime that occurs there is a devastating impact upon victims and our local communities.”