Figures which show crime is falling are failing to convince people they are safer.

Police yesterday defended their record of law and order in Worthing, saying there were 1,200 fewer victims of crime in the town during the past 12 months than the year before.

The statistics include "significant reductions" in the number of robberies and a cut in levels of violent crime.

They said Worthing was the only district in Sussex where there had also been a reduction in "public place" violent crime over this period, despite national increases.

Chief inspector Taylor, who also chairs the Worthing Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP), said: "While one offence is still one too many, we have made significant progress in this area and people in Worthing are safer as a consequence.

"We are also now also targeting antisocial behaviour and alcohol-related nuisance across Sussex through the Enough! Campaign and in Worthing this has seen a number of arrests, seizures of alcohol and penalty notices for disorder being issued.

"People have had enough of this kind of behaviour and we are doing something about it."

However, the statistics are failing to calm the fear of crime in the town.

Residents said they had not noticed their town becoming a less intimidating place to be, regardless of the official figures.

The Argus reported yesterday how people felt many parts of Worthing town centre had become a no-go area.

Claire Webb, a 24-year-old trainee solicitor, told how she feared for her safety after she was hit by a glass as she was dancing in The Toad in Chapel Road, Worthing.

Just 24 hours later, a man was taken to hospital with serious head, chest and leg injuries after the fight between several men outside the Burlington Hotel, in Marine Parade, Worthing.

Police say crime in Worthing has fallen by 12.2 per cent.

But Ms Webb said the statistics do not make her any less concerned.

She said: "When the police came round and spoke to me after I was hit, they both said they were concerned about amount of violence in the town.

"The fact that they have just brought in wardens says a lot, they obviously need them.

"They wouldn't bring them in if everything was under control. It doesn't seem to me that things have improved that much.

"Just because we have these statistics, it doesn't reassure people. I will still feel apprehensive when I go into town."

Junad Miah, manager of the Mahaan Tandoori restaurant on Montague Street, Worthing, said: "I have lived and worked in the area for eight or nine years and I think the crime rate has definitely got worse, there is a big difference.

"The police might say that crime has gone down but I haven't seen any evidence of it in this area.

"Statistics are put out by the police but I don't think they speak for the people who live near the crime scene.

"They don't make me feel any safer. I used to like Worthing but now I would like to live somewhere a bit safer."