Anew Government website that enables everyone to check crime levels in their neighbourhood has revealed that nearly 200 crimes took place in Carmarthen in January.

Town MP Simon Hart has welcomed the transparency in policing that the new website brings.

Latest figures from www.police.uk shows that there were 193 crimes in total in Carmarthen in January, with 108 of them incidents of anti-social behaviour and 19 related to violent crime.

This compares to 157 in total in December with 82 for anti-social behaviour and 19 for violent crime.

"I was quite surprised that January's levels were higher than December given that pre-Christmas must be the busiest time of year on the nightime streets in the town," said Mr Hart.

"However I would point out that the January figures are classified as "average" crime levels compared to the rest of England and Wales so there is nothing to be disturbed about.

"I think it's great that people can now find out if crime is taking place on their street corner. It gives people greater knowledge and means they can hold their police force to account."

The website also contains details of how to get involved in helping the police at a local level by joining a PACT (Police and Communities Together) meeting and how to report crimes.