CRIMES of violence in Wiltshire have shot up by 23 per cent in the past year, it was revealed in new figures presented to the county's police authority last week.

The figures show that violent crimes rose by 1,584 offences to a total of 8,369, during the period from April 2005 to last month.

It was the biggest increase in recorded crime during the year but there were also rises in the number of offences of theft and handling, criminal damage, drugs and non-domestic burglaries.

Overall, crime in the county rose by 2,105 offences, 5.3 per cent, to a total of 42,181 crimes.

But police are quick to emphasise that, when these are expressed as crimes per head of population, Wiltshire still has one of the lowest number of crimes in England and Wales and "remains one of safest counties in which to live, work and visit".

They also point to a 66 per cent detection rate in crimes involving violence against the person.

This is a three per cent improvement on the previous year and, despite the big rise in violence, police say offences are still lower than in similar force areas.

"Moreover, the increase is partly due to a crackdown on alcohol-related antisocial behaviour," said a spokeswoman.

The overall crime figures for the year show a 32 per cent detection rate up two per cent and reveal significant decreases in burglary and vehicle crime.

The overall number of domestic burglaries went down by 374 offences, 17 per cent, to 1,803 crimes recorded, and the number of vehicle crimes dropped by 596 offences, 12 per cent, to 4,349.

Wiltshire's assistant chief constable, Peter Vaughan, said: "During the past year, crime has continued to fall in the key areas of burglary and vehicle crime and, although some areas of crime show an increase, this is largely due to our proactive approach to policing these issues.

"Our continued focus on drug misuse and violent behaviour actually leads to an increase in the numbers of these crimes as, for every person we arrest for violent behaviour, for every person we arrest for dealing or using drugs, an offence is created and recorded as such.

"I am pleased to report that our detection of crime is at the highest level it has been for a number of years.

"Making the community safe is not just a job for the police. We all have a part to play and we shall continue to work closely with our partners and our communities in keeping Wiltshire safe."