Powys remains one of the safest places to live in Wales with more than 1,500 fewer offences recorded and detection levels up in the Dyfed-Powys police area during the last 12-months.

Official government crime figures show Dyfed-Powys Police has increased detection detection rates by 1.8 per cent – with 44.3 per cent of all crimes being detected between April 2008 and March 2009.

Total violent crime is down by more than 300 offences, or five per cent, and the detection rate is up 6.1 per cent, now standing at 65.9 per cent.

Crimes involving violence against the person were also down with the detection rate increased by 6.2 per cent to 67.2 per cent.

The number of sexual offences committed in the force area has also fallen by 5.3 per cent and the detection rate has increased to 42.7 per cent.

There were only 35 robberies in the force area which is a reduction of nearly 24 per cent with 60 per cent of these being detected, which equates to an increase of 3.5 per cent.

Chief constable Ian Arundale said: “We are particularly pleased with the successes we have had in detecting serial paedophiles and in achieving significant prison sentences for them.

“This should send a clear message to paedophiles and other sex offenders that we will not rest until they are brought to justice.”

Domestic burglary and criminal damage also saw decreases and increases in detection rates while the latest national figures show a national rise in burglaries.