CRIME took centre stage this week as police revealed statistics showing falls in burglaries, muggings and car crime.

But some election candidates say it is often lower-level and unreported crime which really blights people's lives.

Thames Valley Police's end of year crime figures released on Thursday reveal a 6.4% drop in all offences across town between April last year and March, compared with the same period in 2008-09.

It means 1,411 fewer people were victims of crime, with 20,701 recorded incidents compared to 22,112 last year - 2,265 down on two years ago.

Drugs trafficking, robbery, burglary and theft were all down, although rape was up, as were homophobic and racially-motivated attacks. Area commander, Superintendent Jim Weems, praised his officers for more than tripling their target of a 2% reduction and said: "When you look at the impact of the financial and economic crisis on the country over the last couple of years it is a real credit we have reduced crime six years in a row."

The Chronicle invited the men and women standing for Parliament across Reading to tell us their policies for tackling crime, sorting out the justice system, and making policing as effective as it can be.