Overall crime levels ? especially non-violent crimes ? are significantly lower for the first quarter of 2004.

However, the perception that crime is on the increase remains, Assistant Police Commissioner Carlton Adams said.

He said the perception may be due to the massive publicity given to events such as violent clashes at Wellington Oval in April.

Total crimes of stealing were down from to 55 from 80 at this time last year, while breaking and entering offences were down to 180 from 273.

Total vehicle removals were also down, to 171 from 232 at this point last year. With total violent crimes going from 69 for the first quarter of 2003 to 71 this year, that meant the total crime statistics for the first quarter of 2004 were at 477 down from 654 at this time in 2003.

The decrease in non-violent crimes is due to sustained efforts from Police to address those areas which were clearly in need of attention, Mr. Adams said, which one such effort being adding more resources to the Cycle Crime Unit.

?These efforts take time,? he said. ?You are now starting to see the clear and obvious results of our efforts to decrease reported crime.?

Despite those efforts, public perception continues to see crime as high, a fact which Mr. Adams attributed at least in part to increased awareness of violent crimes.

?We had some recent events televised because of where they occurred and there was subsequent publicity,? he said in reference to the violent clash at Wellington Oval between 40 armed men in April. ?More people have become aware of this behaviour though that single incident.?

But was the increased awareness a good thing? ?I can?t really comment on that,? he said.

Mr. Adams said 16 people have been arrested in the Wellington Oval incident, with four charged in Magistrates? Court and four in Supreme Court.

Police are expecting to make one more arrest in relation to that incident, he said, though he would give no further details.