ANTI-SOCIAL behaviour made for the bulk of crime reported across central Swindon in September.

Figures collected by the Home Office showed a drop of 44 offences overall on the month before.

In total there were 732 crimes in an area stretching from Lawns Park in the north to the M4 in the south.

Police received 270 reports of anti-social behaviour, 86 of violent crime, 103 classed ‘other theft’ and 70 of criminal damage and arson. Other crimes making up the figures included 55 incidents of shoplifting and 45 vehicle crimes.

The worst affected area was around Bridge Street and Holbrook Way in the town centre.

The Home Office crime mapping website is at www.police.uk