A SURVEY has revealed the downside of Winchester being one of the most attractive places to live.

It attracts ID fraudsters.

A survey by data specialist Experian has shown that the city is in the top 25 outside London for identity fraud, one of Britain's fastest-growing crimes.

Experian says that the number of high earners in Winchester, company directors and business people, make them an attractive target. High-earners are four times more likely to be targeted by fraudsters than average residents.

Other vulnerable people are those renting homes, either privately or social housing.

The report said: "Young singles and homesharers who live in flats rented from local councils or housing associations are more than twice as likely to fall victim, as are the young, single, wealthy people who rent high-value flats in fashionable areas."

Experian also say that 90 per cent of frauds are not reported to the police.