Oswestry 'has most crime' for size of population

Figures published by Ludlow councillor Andy Boddington show that Oswestry has the highest crime rate of 76 crimes per 1,000 people.

Whitchurch and Shrewsbury have 67, with Market Drayton having 65 crimes and Ludlow 60.

Councillor Boddington posted the information on his blog, stating, in Shropshire, there were 45,725 crimes recorded between mid-2015 to mid-2017.

Oswestry Mayor Sandy Best said: "We have a skeleton police service in Oswestry, and that could be linked to the figures.

"There aren't enough police officers, but there are other aspects that are also linked to it."

Oswestry county councillor Vince Hunt said that it was disappointing to hear Oswestry was top of the list, but it could be down to people reporting more crime in the area.

He also believes Oswestry isn't a violent town. He added: "It is disappointing to see that Oswestry is top, but there are a number of things behind the figures and I will be seeking a meeting with the local policing team to discuss that.

"There are other factors, it could be the case that the police force is working really well here and people are more confident in reporting crime.

"We don't want Oswestry to be branded as a crime town, and I don't think it is."

"Apart from the odd weekend boozed up fight you don't see crime around the town, or in-your-face crime."