Burglaries have been slashed by almost half in Bognor, figures released today show.

They fell 42 per cent in the year to March, meaning there were 150 fewer victims compared with the previous 12 months.

All crime in the town fell more than eight per cent and there were almost 500 fewer victims.

This compares with a 4.3 per cent reduction across Sussex.

Inspector Ali Darge, of the Bognor neighbourhood policing team, said police and their partners were determined to cut crime further. Vehicle crime fell 17 per cent, resulting in 130 fewer victims.

Mr Darge said forensic evidence had identified key suspects including one man responsible for dozens of car crimes.

He said: "Extra resources have helped bring crime figures down. In the last year nine more police have joined the neighbourhood team.

"We have recruited seven Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) and three more are in the pipeline.

"The Special Constabulary has more than doubled to 14. Together, they all patrol assigned geographical areas and hotspots to combat crime.

"This year has also seen the introduction of a neighbourhood management team which helps police work more closely with parishes, the fire and rescue service and other agencies. Four local action teams have also been set up.

"These liaise with the PCSOs to report low level community nuisance including anti-social use of vehicles.

"Over the last few months three mopeds and a car have been seized due to anti-social driving by their owners.

"In the last year the youth offending team has cleared tonnes of waste and litter from Stroud Green, Bersted and Aldwick and painted out graffiti on hundreds of metres of alleyway fences."

On the down side, there were 215 more victims of violent crime during the year.

Mr Darge said there had been a big drop in violent crime over the past 90 days but he was not complacent.