FIGURES released this week show that crime levels in Maidstone town centre have more than halved in the past five years. aidstone and Malling police and the Town Centre Management Initiative have welcomed new statistics which show that the downward trend in crime achieved in recent years is continuing.

The total number of crimes in the town centre has reduced from 2,935 in 1996 to just 1,267 between January and October this year. The number of reported shoplifting offences reduced from 1,358 in 1996 to 632 in 1997 and now stands at 362 so far this year.

Incidents of burglary, vehicle crime, assault, robbery, theft and criminal damage have also reduced dramatically, according to police. Town centre constable PC Jim Watson said: "It's a real team effort that has made our crime figures reduce so dramatically. We liaise closely with shops, the local authority and the Town Centre Management Initiative to ensure we can do as much as possible to decrease crime and disorder in Maidstone town centre."

Five police officers are now assigned solely to the town centre and more officers are due to join them in the coming months.

The success is also being attributed to the Storenet and Nitenet radio systems, which links shops, clubs and bars with the CCTV control room and police.

David Spink from the Town Centre Management Initiative, based in the Chequers Shopping Centre, said: "The combination of a comprehensive CCTV provision, high profile policing and excellent communication between partners is paying dividends. This news will send out a really positive message to the business community of Maidstone and further enhance our reputation as a safe accessible place in which to work, shop or visit."