Be confident you live in a safe place is the message being given out by Dyfed Powys Police as they launch their new campaign, 'Tackling crime and keeping you safe'.

The campaign comes after research shows that, although Dyfed Powys is the safest place in England and Wales, people's fear of crime is still quite high.

"We want people to be vigilant and take sensible precautions so they don't become a victim of crime," said Assistant Chief Constable Nick Ingram. "But we also want them to feel safe."

Figures released by the Home Office show that crime in Wales is lower than the total for England and Wales. For Dyfed Powys, the statistics are even better.

The latest crime statistics show there have been over 1,500 less offences in the force area. The statistics also prove bad news for criminals, with an increase in the detection rate of 1.8 per cent, meaning now that 44.3 per cent of all crimes within the force area are detected.

Total violent crime is down by over 300 offences or five per cent and the detection rate is up 6.1 per cent and now stands at 65.9 per cent.

Crimes involving violence against the person are 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.

"Crime is committed in Dyfed Powys, as it is everywhere," added Mr. Ingram.

"There will always be that element of society that breaks the law and commits crime. Here we have low crime, not 'no crime'. Where there are offences committed, we do our best to solve the cases. We do not give up; even after 20 years we still review unsolved cases and hope that we can solve them.

"We want people to be confident in their police force, to feel that they are doing a good job and are there when they are needed.

"In January, the Home Secretary launched a 'Policing Pledge'. It lists what you should expect from your local police force. We like to think in Dyfed Powys we were already meeting many of these promises by doing our best to deliver a high level of service to our residents."

The campaign will run throughout July and can be seen on the backs of buses, large posters outside supermarkets and heard on local radio.