Violent crime in Wiltshire is "not low enough yet," the region's police and crime commissioner has said, despite new figures showing the number of violent offences in the county is decreasing.

According to 'The Nature of Violent Crime in England and Wales', published last week by the Office of National Statistics (ONS), national levels of recorded violent crime appear to be gradually decreasing, a trend reflected in Wiltshire and Swindon.

While there is no single measure of violent crime, the ONS survey shows gradual decreases in violence with and without injury, and domestic abuse, over the last decade.

A national fall in levels of violent crime has been reflected in Swindon and WiltshireA national fall in levels of violent crime has been reflected in Swindon and Wiltshire (Image: Newsquest) In the 12 months to March, there was an overall reduction of eight per cent in recorded crime year on year, with several reductions in individual crime types.

This includes an 11 per cent decrease in violence against the person, a three per cent fall in sexual offences, and a 28 per cent drop in robberies.

Wiltshire also has the fifth lowest number of knife crime offences nationally, with an eight per cent decrease for the year ending March 2024 in comparison to the previous 12 months.

Wiltshire and Swindon's police and crime commissioner, Philip Wilkinson, said: "Serious violence has a devastating impact on individuals involved, their families, and the wider community, and what we then see is that trauma being carried forward and becoming a precursor to further offences in our communities.

"That's why a public health approach is key in effectively driving down violent offences.

"The police cannot tackle serious violence alone and the only effective way to tackle serious violence on our streets is by partners working together.

"I'm pleased to see the progress that's being made locally in Wiltshire and Swindon because of the police working with local authorities, health, fire and rescue services, probation, and youth justice services in addition to my office and specialist commissioned services."

He added: "Reducing serious violence remains top of my agenda, and with the right organisations at the table, we can address not only the symptoms of crime, but also the underlying causes and consequences.

"This recorded reduction is testament to the focus that's been placed on effectively tackling serious violence, but we must ensure the momentum continues as it's not low enough yet."

Wiltshire's Violence Reduction Partnership works to identify those at risk of perpetrating or becoming a victim and fund initiatives to divert those at risk away from criminality and enable people to access help and support.