crime is down and there are a record number of police officers patrolling the streets in Stubbington.

That was the good news delivered by the police at a public meeting. But despite this, a large crowd of concerned residents still confronted two top policemen about levels of crime locally.

The Church of the Immaculate Conception in Bells Lane became a forum for discussing hot local crime issues in the area last night.

Supt Graham Haycock told the crowd: "I've been in the police force for 25 years and I've been here in Fareham for 18 months now and this really is one of the areas with the lowest crime rates.

"We have got a priority in this area to combat vandalism.

"We carry out a lot of patrols seizing alcohol from these youngsters standing on street corners with a four pack of beer. There are new laws so we can seize open containers."

Park Gate section Insp Steve Havis said that, due to Hampshire police's concerted recruitment drive last year, he now has ten probationary officers - more than at any other time.

"Never before in my career have I been able to say that we are over strength. Crime is going down in Stubbington. But robberies have increased.

"This year we have had two - last year we had none. Burglaries are also down.

He explained that some types of crimes, such as domestic violence, were on the increase purely due to new laws that mean every incident has to be recorded even if a complaint was not made.

Thefts are down from 178 last year to 154 this year. Reports of criminal damage have also fallen.

He appealed to local people to report any crime or suspicious happening even if they thought it was insignificant because it helps to build up an intelligence picture of the area so resources can be directed appropriately.