Worthing is among the safest towns in England and Wales, show figures published today.

National crime statistics revealed that for the first time the South-East has topped the list as the safest region.

And changes in policing style have led to crime in the Worthing area being lower than this time last year, police said today.

Vehicle crime in the town is down by 21.6 per cent on last year with detections higher than before, and burglaries are down by 7.3 per cent with 157 per cent more detections.

Overall, detections have risen by 12.6 per cent.

District commander Chief Inspector Russ Whitfield said: "This is a testament to the hard work put in by the people that police and have an impact on policing in Worthing.

"We are determined to continue to make Worthing a safe and a nice place to live, work and visit. To continue to achieve good performance I need the help of Worthing residents to support their officers and in turn we will do our best for the people of Worthing.

"We are desperately trying to recruit residents to become members of the Special Constabulary and the wider police family."

South-East Home Office director Hugh Marriage was on an official visit to Sussex today as the latest crime figures were released. He said at Church Farm, in Coombes, near Lancing: "It's the first time the South-East has been the safest place in England and Wales. Last year it was second and the year before that third.

"Reducing crime is not just watching and keeping your fingers crossed and hoping it goes down.

"It's about gathering intelligence, listening to what the local community wants and responding to it, and addressing and sensibly tackling crime in that way.

"It's impossible to prevent all crime but you can reduce it.

"You only need a few initiatives to pinpoint crime and tackle it to make a significant difference."

Home Office figures show Sussex Police had achieved a 3.1 per cent reduction in total crime, building on the 1.3 per cent reduction achieved the previous year.

The Home Office named Chichester and Horsham as the two best-performing policing districts in the South-East.

Figures for Worthing were due to be released later today.

Mr Marriage said: "Police work in Sussex is improving and Sussex maintains a good relationship with the local authorities and other partners.

"Sussex Police have increased their numbers, technology has improved, and under Chief Constable Ken Jones partnership-working between police and the local authorities has made Sussex safer."

Although crime is down throughout Sussex, so are detections.

Sussex Police are bringing fewer villains to book and one reason is the so-called "brain-drain" - experienced officers leaving Sussex to earn more in London.

Mr Marriage said: "It's a strain on all forces but particularly in Sussex, Surrey and the Thames Valley.

"It's inevitable but some officers have come back to Sussex anyway.

"Pay is important - no one would dispute that - and the Met pay more and offer free travel.

"It's difficult for us across the whole region. But what's also important is the overall package, how good a force is to work in.

"If morale has gone up as in Sussex Police it will attract people back.

"I've observed morale going up, as a result of improved performance.

"And good morale fuels further improvements, it's all linked."

Sussex Chief Constable Ken Jones said: "This is our second year of reductions in overall crime, making Sussex even safer.

"Our new style of neighbourhood policing is bringing us closer to our local communities, and hard-hitting initiatives such as Operation Resolve, which achieved more than 170 arrests in a week, show our determination to deal with those who do try to commit crime."

Mark Dunn, chairman of the Sussex Police Authority, said: "These successive reductions are a testimony to the men and women of Sussex Police. I would like to thank all officers and police support staff for their continued hard work. I hope the public will take note of these figures and be reassured by them."

Fifteen crimes are being committed in Sussex every hour, latest figures show.

There were 131,000 offences during the year to March 31, three per cent down on the previous year.

But detections are also lower, down one point to 24 per cent.