Alton saw a big drop in crime at the end of 2024 with reports dropping to their lowest level for more than a year.

Police received 61 reports during December around the Alton patch – with the figure being exactly half the 122 they received just six months earlier.

The figure on www.police.uk is also below the previously lowest figure of 63 recorded in January 2024.

Crimes involving violence or sexual offences were the most commonly reported with 26 being made, followed by theft and anti-social behaviour with nine apiece.

Five of the latter figure were reported on Littlefield Road, making it the most “crime-ridden” area of Alton for the month along with the High Street.

Burglaries were also reported in the town centre and Eggars Close, while offences involving drugs took place on New Odiham Road and Edward Road.

The website also reports that five people were stopped and searched by the police during the month, with three reportedly resulting in no further action.

But there were two more serious incidents at the station as an offensive weapon was found on one person while another was caught in possession of an item which could harm.

Away from the town, crime rose over the same period in the Alton rural patch which includes Bentley, the Worldhams, Selborne, Oakhanger, Shalden and Froyle.

Some 44 crimes were reported compared to 27 the previous month, with 23 involving violence, sexual offences or theft.

The third most commonly reported crime around the patch was criminal damage with Upper Froyle being a surprising hotspot, while singular offences involving drugs were reported in East Worldham and Shalden.

Finally, just 13 crimes were reported in the Four Marks and Ropley patch, with the figure also being the lowest for more than a year.

More statistics can be found at www.police.uk