THERE were almost 1,400 fewer victims of crime in Gwent during April and May compared to the same period last year, a Gwent Police Authority meeting heard.

Assistant Chief Constable Simon Prince presented a report to members which showed that between April 1 and May 31 this year there were 5,792 crimes recorded in the Gwent area.

During the same period last year 7,191 crimes were recorded.

This is equal to the police dealing with 95 crimes each day compared to 118 crimes a day during the same period last year. Of the 5,792 crimes, 2,116 were detected, resulting in a detection rate of 36.6 per cent.

This is an improvement on the same period last year, when the detection rate was 29.5 per cent and maintains Gwent’s police topten status nationally.

In terms of anti-social behaviour incidents, ACC Prince said April and May had seen the lowest months on record. A total of 1,857 incidents were recorded in April and around 2,000 in May.

Speaking at the meeting ACC Prince added that in May more than 100 years of jail terms had been given in relation to rape cases.

In the financial year 2011/12, a total of 38,895 crimes were recorded compared to 45,526 the previous year.

During 2011/12 there were 36,884 anti-social behaviour incidents reported compared to 52,356 the year before.

Referring to the recent Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary review, which stated the force is unable to consistently identify repeat and vulnerable victims of anti-social behaviour, ACC Prince said: “We immediately put in place a system of checking vulnerable victims.

“There is no doubt that reports of anti-social behaviour are dropping and no doubt that victims of antisocial behaviour feel they are being treated well.”

Chairwoman of the authority Cilla Davies said: “This is superb news. We have got to remember that we are living in difficult times.”