VIOLENT crime is still rising in Hampshire but the number of burglaries is falling, the Daily Echo can reveal.

New police figures show violent crime rose by almost 24 per cent to 22,308 incidents recorded between April and September 2004, compared with 18,009 committed during the same period in the previous year.

Harassment offences also rocketed by almost 79 per cent over the same period.

By contrast, the figures show a marked drop in the number of burglaries being committed in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

Police chiefs have pledged to target drink-related crime in a bid to cut the number of violent offences across the county.

They say if the current trend continues, burglary levels are set to hit a 30-year low.

Residents reported 2,794 domestic burglaries from April to September last year - 27 per cent lower than the same period in 2003 when 3,850 burglaries were recorded.

The figures also show a drop in vehicle crime. There were 8,289 thefts of and from vehicles during the six-month period - a 21 per cent decrease on the 10,497 crimes recorded in the previous year.

Officers leading the targeted crackdowns on streets and homes under the "Safer" campaigns have welcomed the figures but say they will reiterate the message that drinking excessively increases chances of becoming involved in crime.

Assistant Chief Constable Steve Watts said the figures reflected a force-wide, long-term downward trend in the numbers of burglaries and vehicle crimes.

"This is a significant achievement and represents a lot of hard work, not only by police officers but also by the people of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight who have taken heed of crime reduction advice.

"But this is not a time for complacency. We need to continue to work with local communities and partner agencies to make sure we give burglars and car criminals a tough time. I hope the force's Safer Homes and Safer Vehicles campaigns will help us to continue to improve our performance in these areas.

"We have also been actively warning people that if they become drunk they are less able to take care of themselves and become more vulnerable to attack. We hope that this will deter people from drinking excessively and help reduce the number of drink related incidents."

He added that change in the way crime was recorded nationally is still continuing to have an effect on rising violent crime figures in Hampshire.