OFFICIAL police crime data has revealed Dover has some of the lowest crime rates in the South East compared to other town centres.

Figures released by Kent Police for December show officers had to respond to a total 240 incidents of street crime, with antisocial behaviour being the biggest problem.

In total, there were 122 incidents involving antisocial behaviour in the town centre – more than all the other reported crime for the month put together.

Neighbouring towns suffered at the hands of louts and crooks far more than Dover.

Police officers in Folkestone had to deal with a total 384 incidents, with their colleagues in Margate responding 503.

Nearby Ramsgate had 303 incidents of street-level crime while Ashford had 325 and Canterbury had 410.

According to the statistics, crime in Dover is also falling. In October there were 334 reports and November saw 275. The official figures have been made public on the police.uk website which has had a major overhaul and takes over from the CrimeMap site launched in previous years.

Users are able to break crime and types of crime down to street level by entering in their postcode or address.

December figures show the town's most crime-affected area was in and around Church Street at the back of St Mary's Church.

There were six antisocial behaviour incidents, four violent crime problems, one attack involving criminal damage and two other theft-related incidents.

For the town centre, violent crime issues reported totalled 27, followed by criminal damage with 23 and shoplifting on 20.

In Deal, during December, police had to handle 144 criminal activities with antisocial behaviour again topping the list with 57 incidents.

Whitfield failed to escape the attentions of both crooks and the police with 51 incidents of street-level crime and Sandwich and Aylesham both had 25 incidents.

Chief Inspector Ken Elmes said: "Kent Police works closely with partner organisations, such as Dover District Council, to tackle crime and antisocial behaviour and make the town a safe place to live, work and socialise in.

"The figures on the website reflect the hard work which all officers and staff are committed to continuing."