ANDOVER's divisional police commander is determined to make people feel safe in their homes - and reduce their fear of crime.

Superintendent Mark Chatterton's comments come ahead of the publication of the annual end-of-year crime figures due in a couple of weeks.

He believes Andover is on target to improve on last year's encouraging results, which showed a marked drop in overall crime in the town. "We're likely to see some big improvements," said Supt Chatterton.

"We have been focussing on burglary and car crime and I feel confident that Andover will show a reduction once again.

"I believe the figures will be some 25 per cent less than they were last year and this is extremely encouraging," he said.

But the superintendent is not complacent and is keen to reassure people there is still work to be done.

"Our challenge is to make the people of Andover and the rural communities feel safe," he said.

"This is something I feel very strongly about and something which I and my team are working hard towards.

"Our challenge is to get more people working the beat and working in tandem with neighbourhood wardens and other statutory organisations," said Supt Chatterton.

The police will continue to target the small minority of people who commit much of the crime in the area, he said. "I have personally written to prolific offenders - those who commit more than six offences in 12 months - and told them they need to be aware they're the focus of our attention.

"We're also targeting offenders who steal to buy drugs and I'm keen to see better drug rehabilitation programmes, like the proposed substance and misuse housing project, put in place," he said.

The superintendent also praised the courts and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS,) who he said, have shown good judgement when handing out sentences.

"My overlying message to the people of Andover and the surrounding area is this: We are thinking about how you feel, especially the sheer misery that goes with any crime you're a victim of.

"We will continue to work hard to improve things for you and get overall crime levels down, and we will use all available resources to do this.

"The fear of crime in our area is far greater than the crime itself, and I am determined this will change," he said.