Official figures reveal that offending across England and Wales is at its lowest level since 1981 – in the last year it fell by 8 per cent. Home Office chief statistician David Blunt said improved security measures, including alarms, better door and window locks as well as vehicle immobilisers are responsible for falling property crime. He said the trend has been reflected in many other developed countries during the same period. Mr Blunt said: "There is no single definitive explanation and it seems likely that a number of different factors have contributed in different ways."