By RACHEL SPENCER

CRIME in Cheshire is a third lower than the rest of the country, but Warrington's crime rates are one of the highest in the county.

Statistics released by the Home Office on Tuesday show that just 65 crimes are committed per 1,000 of population, compared to 99 crimes per 1,000 nationally.

Police in the town also came top of the cops. Detection rates in five out of six categories show that Warrington's police force solve more crime than their colleagues in forces across the country.

A breakdown for crimes in Warrington is not available but in all the categories listed, the town scores below the national average.

Second only to Chester, Warrington is one of the most violent towns in the county with a rate of 6.5 compared to a Cheshire average of 5.8.

Drivers in the town are more likely to have their cars broken into too. Chester again has the highest rate, but Warrington scores 10, compared to a county average of 7.9.

More robberies take place in Warrington than the rest of Cheshire, but the rate is just a third of the national average. The town's burglary rate, however, was one of the lowest in Cheshire.

For sexual offences, Warrington came second again to Chester, with one of the highest rates of 0.5, compared to a national rate of 0.7. Home Office detection rates show Warrington as one of the most effective police forces. Sexual offences were 30 per cent higher than the national average, violence was 20 per cent higher, robbery 18 per cent higher and burglary five per cent higher.

On average, eight per cent of thefts from motor vehicles are detected. Motor thefts was the only area where the force fell short, scoring two per cent below the national average.

Welcoming the statistics, Assistant Chief Constable Graeme Gerrard said: "The low crime rates in each of our local communities show that the partnerships we have developed with other agencies and the public as a whole are working.

"Community safety is now a top priority in Cheshire, Halton and Warrington."