NEIGHBOURHOOD police in areas around High Wycombe have reported a drop in crimes over the school summer holidays – usually a busy period for officers tackling low level offences.

Officers in Chepping Wye Valley, which covers Hazlemere, Flackwell Heath, Tylers Green and Loudwater, say there has been a 35 per cent drop in recorded crimes over the past four weeks.

Only 29 offences were reported, compared to 45 from the same period last year.

Police spokesman Howard Wynne of Wycombe LPA, said: “This means that there are 16 fewer victims this year. School holidays tend to bring a spike in low level crime and anti-social behaviour, but this has not occurred this year.

“It is not possible to say why this is, but it could be linked to a wide range of agencies (including police) working hard over the summer.”

He added: “This Neighbourhood team also has more officers than we have had for a long time and I feel that we are working well with other teams and partner agencies."

Police say the drop could be due to the presence of Bucks County Council youth workers in the area and a big turnout at holiday clubs such as Lighthouse at Sir William Ramsay School.

Among the crimes recorded are graffiti and drugs offences in Hazlemere and anti-social behaviour on Straight Bit Recreation Ground in Flackwell Heath.

The Flackwell Heath Scout hut was also broken into, with damage caused and food taken.