The number of reported crimes in Upton has risen in the past 12 months.

The figure was 233 for April 2003 to March 2004, compared with 230 for the same period the previous year.

Insp Neville Sheldrick and Sgt Robert Werner-de-Sondberg told last week's town meeting that vehicle crime has also increased, from 30 to 37 and public disorder incidents from 117 to 153.

However, violent crime fell from 52 to 46, with burglaries down from 19 to 10.

False alarm calls to the fire service have risen for the third year running.

Droitwich-based Station Commander Keith Chance told the meeting that 60 of 159 calls made to the service over the past 12 months from Upton were false alarms.

There were 33 secondary fires involving grass or refuse, 22 that damaged property and nine chimney fires.

Other calls included 16 traffic accidents and 19 special services, such as animal rescues.