crime and disorder has dropped by 4.6 per cent in Winchester, according to new figures.

Police chiefs in the city claim the number of offences reported to officers during 2009-10 was 6,639 compared with 6,961 the previous year.

The figures also show a continuing year-on-year decrease with 7,090 reported crimes during 2007-08. There has also been a reduction in the number of reported antisocial behaviour incidents, which have fallen by 17.1 per cent to a total of 2,065. This compares with 2,493 reported incidents during 2008-09.

Chief Inspector Rachel Farrell, the Winchester District commander, said: “Our success has been due largely to the continued investment in neighbourhood policing and the partnership approach we have adopted to tackle the priorities. The challenge is to do even better in future years.”