Overall crime in Epping Forest has fallen in the last six months, according to police figures, but there were still an average of 160 offences reported in the district every week.

The biggest reduction came in the area classified as Epping Town, with 542 offences between April and October, down 82 on the previous six months.

But the area is still in the top three for reported crime.

The worst affected areas were Waltham Abbey and Loughton, where 100 crimes were reported in each town every month.

Crime has increased in both areas over the last six months.

Reported burglaries across the district have fallen from 424 to 355, with a drop of 40 per cent in Epping Town.

But the worst affcted area was Ongar, where there were 51 reported break-ins, compared to 40 in the previous six months.

The Guardian has requested further information on other crimes.