CRIME in Gwent has dropped over the past twelve months.

The annual crime statistics, based on two sources of statistics, the British Crime Survey (BCS) and police recorded crime data were revealed this week.

The BCS and police recorded crime statistics are complementary series, and together these two sources provide a more comprehensive picture of crime than could be obtained from either series alone.

Comparing the newly published figures for 2007-8 with those for 2006-7 there has been a decrease of nearly nine per cent in overall crime in Gwent.

In addition to this the force has also seen a fall in the number of violent incidents committed against individuals - 12.7 per cent and robberies - 11.7 per cent.

There has also been a significant decrease in vehicle crime of nearly -16 per cent and fraud and forgery offences of -30.4 per cent.

There has been a continued increase in the area of drug offences in recent years, in this latest year there was a 10.6 per cent rise.

Police say the increase is encouraging to see and is due to the fact that they are identifying more offences.

Gwent Police has also seen a rise of 75 incidents in the sexual offences category. A spokeswoman said, "We have in recent years increased our efforts in encouraging victims of such crimes to come forward and report cases to police and believe this has had a positive effect on the figures in this area."

Assistant Chief Constable Bill Horne said, "These latest annual figures mean there have been 4609 fewer victims of crime in Gwent and specifically, in the category of violent crimes committed against individuals, 1482 fewer victims.

"Such decreases can only be positive news for those living in our communities and is a result of not only police work but the efforts of our partner agencies and the cooperation of our communities who often provide vital information to aid investigations.

"We are grateful for their support and efforts in reducing crime and making Gwent a safer place."

Mr Horne added, "Whilst the figures published today show that crime is being reduced in Gwent the figures also show that public perception does not match this reality.

"The challenge for us is clear, we need to continue to reduce crime in our communities but we also need intensify our efforts in reassuring the public that Gwent is a safe place to live, and through our continued efforts is becoming safer."