HIGH-VALUE burglaries in Swindon have been recognised as a worrying trend by Wiltshire Police following a recent report.

Police chiefs highlighted their concerns about the rate of burglaries in the town and the fact that many involve juveniles who often take the owner’s car for a drive before ditching it.

It comes after news of an 11 per cent increase in the level of recorded crime across Wiltshire in the 12 months to December 2016 compared with the same period in the previous year.

The figures place Swindon’s burglary rate for December 2016 at 3.01 incidents per 1000 people compared with 1.97 in December 2015.

The national increase in all recorded crime was ten per cent. In the South West region it was 12 per cent.

And the average crime rate in 2016 throughout Wiltshire was 44.58, while in Swindon it was 86.54.

Wiltshire and Swindon’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Angus Macpherson, said: “I am encouraged that the overall increase in crime in Wiltshire is very much in line with the national picture.

“It is worth saying again that the dramatic improvement in the quality of crime recording has impacted on the results.

“I am pleased that internal auditing is showing a very high level of compliance with crime recording standards.

“I’ve been briefed on the comprehensive plans that the force has in place to tackle burglaries and I will be kept updated regularly on the progress.”

In Wiltshire, the figures for public order offences and violence against the person were up 41 per cent and 26 per cent respectively.

Assistant Chief Constable Kier Pritchard said: “Getting these figures right is important in understanding the potential risk, harm and vulnerability within the county.

“Wiltshire Police, along with forces nationwide, has taken significant steps to improve the accuracy of recorded crime.

“We know that many offences go unreported.”