THERE'S some good news for security-conscious Swindon residents, homes in our town are among the least likely in the country to be hit by burglars.

Figures today released by Endsleigh insurance show that the burglary rate in Swindon is 35 per cent below the national average.

It comes fifth in the list of towns and cities least at risk from household theft behind Guildford, which is 41 per cent under the average, Coventry, Edinburgh and Dundee. Other safe areas include Brighton, Bath, Swansea, Glasgow and Aberdeen.

But the news is not so good for other towns and cities near Swindon. While nowhere near the rate of Nottingham, the worst place in the country at 109 per cent over the national average, Bristol rates at 51 per cent over, Oxford 41 per cent over and Reading 29 per cent over, and all feature in the ten most at risk.

Margaret Strike, the neighbourhood watch co-ordinator in Lawn, said the figures were pleasing but not a surprise.

"We are told in our meetings that Swindon is pretty safe as far as burglary goes," she said.

Neighbourhood Watch groups, which encourage residents to look out for one another and stay in contact with the local police officers are a vital tool in helping keep communities safe.

Mrs Strike said: "If the co-ordinators are observant and people in the street do keep an eye open then it does keep burglary down."

Last week the Advertiser reported on Swindon police's most recent crime figures. The statistics showed that the number of homes falling victim to burglars had dropped by 21 per cent compared to a year ago, meaning there were 217 fewer break-ins. The detection rate for burglary also rose, meaning more than one in five are now solved.

However, the figures were not all rosy. Although car crime dropped, violent crime rose by 15 per cent, meaning there were 411 more victims of violent crime in the year up to the end of March.