Crime in Eastbourne in Eastbourne has fallen by eight per cent compared with a year ago, but violent crime is on the rise.

There were 228 fewer crimes reported in the three months leading up to July, according to police figures released today.

But violent crime has risen during the same period, with an additional 35 incidents reported.

Police have hailed the overall figures as a major breakthrough but stressed more work was needed to back them up.

The biggest drop recorded is in incidents of shoplifting.

A total of 111 fewer cases of retail crime, including shoplifting, were reported - down 61 per cent.

Police credited the results to the "hard work and determination" of the Eastbourne Business Crime Group and the police Retail Crime Unit and Business Crime Group.

Other successes included house burglaries, which were down 25 per cent with 33 fewer cases reported, and criminal damage, down by 74, a drop of 14 per cent.

However the figures also show an increase in the number of burglaries from commercial premises, up by 13, and violent acts, up 35.

Police promised targeted patrols and other crime prevention initiatives were being planned to combat the worrying trends.

Chief Inspector Martin Stevens, the borough commander, unveiled the figures at a meeting of the Police and Community Consultative Group.

He said: "More work is still to be done in tackling antisocial behaviour and quality of life issues which we all can help reduce.

"There is still more to be done and we acknowledge that. But the headlines figures suggest that Eastbourne is becoming an even safer place to live.

"Indeed, at the meeting, it was clear the public felt that way too."

Residents told the chief inspector they wanted officers to tackle cars parked on grass verges and youths cycling on footpaths.

He told them: "I understand the desire for us as the police service to tackle all issues. But we call on the public to help make our neighbourhoods safer.

"We will tackle such issues where we have legal grounds to do so, but otherwise it is a case of being a good citizen.

"If we all work together I am confident we can make Eastbourne an even safer place to live, work and visit."