CRIME in Wellington dropped to its lowest December figure in three years.

Police recorded 36 crimes for the whole of December - down 16 on the previous month - Sgt Helen Boyd told town councillors this week.

Figures show 36 is the lowest number recorded since 2010, with 39 and 40 crimes in December 2011 and 2012 respectively.

The biggest fall was in thefts from motor vehicles and dwelling burglaries, both down by six.

Tools, a catalytic converter and an exhaust system were stolen in two incidents, while jewellery was taken in two separate burglaries.

There was also a decline in assaults - only two recorded - with both domestic incidents. Sgt Boyd said one arrest had been made and somebody had been prosecuted in relation to the other.

However, nine incidents of shoplifting were recorded across the month, an increase of two on November.

Sgt Boyd said shoplifters, believed to be known offenders, targeted One Stop, Waitrose, Longforth garage, Asda, Co-op, Superdrug, Buy and Save and the Old Sale Rooms.

She said six people had been arrested and prosecuted.

After a spike in crime in November, Deputy Mayor Dave Mitton said: “I think we are all pleased that we have returned to more normal figures rather than the bleak ones we had the previous month.”

Sgt Boyd said police had a “fairly quiet” Christmas and New Year period.