VIOLENT crime in Gwent is down 14 per cent, despite an increase of 12 per cent across England and Wales, according to Home Office figures released today.

But burglaries were up substantially in both Newport and Torfaen, and car theft showed an increase across the area except for Blaenau Gwent. The statistics compare crime in the financial year 2002 to 2003 with the year 2003 to 2004, and show that overall crime in Gwent was down three per cent.

Gwent's detection rate was 44 per cent, the second highest rate in the UK. The greatest fall in violent crime, in the force area, was in Caerphilly, where recorded incidents dropped 19 per cent from 4,494 to 3,646. Newport showed the smallest decline of four per cent, from 4,248 to 4,063.

Sex offences were down across Gwent, most substantially in Caerphilly where incidents were down 24 per cent from 152 to 116.

Robbery figures remained constant in Blaenau Gwent with ten recorded offences, and were down in Caerphilly, Newport and Torfaen.

Only Monmouthshire experienced an increase in robberies - up from 12 to 17.

The most marked increase in burglaries was in Newport - up 31 per cent, from 1,084 to 1,422. Torfaen also showed a rise, up 25 per cent, from 335 to 420, while burglaries fell in the rest of Gwent.

Theft of vehicles was up 24 per cent in Torfaen, 21 per cent in Caerphilly, 18 per cent in Newport and five per cent in Monmouthshire. Blaenau Gwent showed a drop in incidents.

Theft from vehicles, however, was down everywhere except in Newport. Chief Superintendent Alun Thomas said: "I am very pleased to see crime continuing to drop in the Gwent force area. This is a result of the hard work and commitment of our officers, and our crime and disorder partners who are constantly striving to improve life for those living in our communities."

He said house burglaries were being addressed by Operation Magpie, which was launched in April this year after these figures were collected. As a result of the operation, this figure has already started to decrease and the detection rate for dwelling burglaries is the highest in the UK at 45 per cent.

Vehicle crime is also being targeted by initiatives Gwent-wide.