NEW figures suggest Wiltshire could be the safest county in England and Wales.

According to police figures crime levels dropped and detection rates rose from April 2004 to March 2005 compared to the previous year. The total number of crimes fell by seven per cent, with 2,900 fewer recorded.

In comparison, there was a drop of just 2.3 per cent in neighbouring Avon & Somerset.

Whereas violent crime levels have reduced in Wiltshire in the past year, they have increased by 33 per cent in Bath & North East Somerset. Overall 29 per cent of crimes in Wiltshire were detected, an improvement on last year.

A police spokesman said: "When expressed as 'crimes per population' Wiltshire has the lowest number of crimes in England and Wales."

Crime levels have dropped in seven out of nine key areas, including burglary, violent crime and car crime but the number of drug related offences has increased.

Burglaries have fallen by 15 per cent, with 2,177 recorded over the year. Non-dwelling burglaries have dropped by 13 per cent, with 2,943 recorded since March last year.

There were 505 fewer vehicle crimes, with 4,945 recorded and 426 fewer violent crimes, with 6,785 recorded.

Robberies have also dropped, with more than 20 per cent fewer recorded. Across the county there have been 256 robberies, compared to 328 last year. Most robberies took place in Swindon.

Detection rates have improved in violent crime, burglary and car crime.

Peter Vaughan, assistant chief constable for Wiltshire, said: "As well as providing an effective response to emergencies the aim of Wiltshire Police is to reduce crime and increase the number of crimes we detect."

He said he recognises there are still people whose lives are affected by crime and disorder but said there are 2,900 fewer victims of crime than last year

Nationally, Home Office figures showed recorded crime fell five per cent in the past three months of 2004 but violent crime rose nine per cent.

Another source of figures, the British Crime Survey, said overall crime has fallen 11 per cent and violent crime has fallen 10 per cent.