By John Lucas

Crime in the Preston Park and Fiveways area fell by 36 percent during the first two months of 2014, according to new figures released by Sussex Police. 

Burglary and vehicle crime more than halved during January and February compared with the same period in 2013, although reports of anti-social behaviour and criminal damage increased.

Police said the fall was partly due to high visibility patrols in hotspot areas, as well as proactive vehicle security checks.

PCSO Simon Turvey, of the Preston Park local policing team, said: “When we first started checking cars last year we found that around one in 20 were being left unlocked, but recently the figure is typically one in 40.

“The message is obviously getting across and it can be no coincidence that the vehicle crime figures continue to fall,” he added.

Mr Turvey said a bait van had also been deployed in the area to track and arrest thieves.

During January-February 2013 there were 30 reported burglaries compared with only two in the same period this year, according to the report released on Saturday, March 29.

There were also 30 incidents of vehicle crime at the start of 2013, with just 14 reports in the latest figures.

However, reports of anti-social behaviour and criminal damage remain relatively high.

There were 66 reports of anti-social behaviour, criminal damage or arson in the 2013 figures and 72 reports during January-February this year.

Between May 2013 and February 2014 there were 351 reports of anti-social behaviour, which accounted for more than 41% of all reported crime in the area.

Several of the recent incidents took place in the streets around Southdown Avenue.

Gren Nation, of the Southdown Rise Residents Association, said: “We are about to conduct a survey of members to ascertain whether there’s a perceived need for a neighbourhood watch scheme or schemes in our area.”