Crime-conscious Wickford is bucking the trend of rising crime - it was today revealed.

Police figures reveal that despite a massive increase in shed and garage burglaries in the town, the number of overall crimes has fallen slightly.

It is good news for the town - most parts of neighbouring Basildon have seen an increase.

The statistics reveal that 374 offences were reported to police during July, August and September compared to 385 during the previous three months.

However, figures also show that many areas of crime that people are concerned about have risen sharply.

Insp Richard Reeves said the number of "other" burglaries had dramatically increased to 78 over the same period compared to the quarterly 1998 average of just 33.

He added: "There is always a large increase in shed burglaries over the summer period.

"It is down to the fact that the majority of people leave their sheds and garages open.

"This provides an ideal opportunity for thieves to help themselves to valuable tools and then sell them at boot fairs. People need to buy strong locks."

Offences against the person also rose - it more than doubled to 59 in July, August and September, compared to the 1998 quarterly average of 27.

Insp Reeves said the rise could be partly blamed on the fact that domestic incidents are now recorded following new Home Office guidelines.

House burglaries for the same period were up from 17 (quarterly 1998 average) to 33 and shoplifting from 20 to 29. Criminal damage increased from 75 to 79 but car crime remained constant at 96.

Successful police operations included arrests after a spate of thefts from Wickford rail station car park and the seizing of 150,000 Ecstacy tablets in Runwell.

CID officers also recovered property from five burglaries. The thief responsible was jailed for five years.

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