SWANSEA'S Wind Street had the second highest number of incidents reported to police of any street in England and Wales in December 2010, new crime statistics reveal.

An online scheme to map crime was launched today by the Home Office, allowing people to search for reported crime by postcode or area.

With a total of 148 incidents reported in December, Wind Street was second only to Glover's Court in Preston, which had 152.

Wind Street was also ranked as the third worst street for violence, with 34 reported incidents in December. The only two streets with more violent incidents were Guildhall Walk in Portsmouth with 38, and Lower Twelfth Street in Milton Keynes with 35.

Of the towns with the most violent incidents reported, four out of the top ten are in Wales.

As 75,000 people a minute attempted to check the crime stats in their area, the website - which cost a reported £300,000 - stopped working shortly after 10am, and is still down at the time of writing.

Some have voiced opposition to the new sites, claiming they could negatively affect house prices in areas with high crime rates.

But Home Secretary Theresa May defended the scheme, saying it would help police fight crime.

"I think people are going to welcome the fact they can really see what's happening with crime in their area, not just on their street but in their neighbourhood," she said.

"I think they will feel a greater connection with the police, with much more information about where they can go to, and who they can work with."

Policing Minister Nick Herbert said: "By opening up this information, and allowing the public to elect Police and Crime Commissioners, we are giving people real power - and strengthening the fight against crime."

Stacey Stansom, 22, who works in a pub on Wind Street most weekends, was "surprised" that it ranked so high.

"It's like any other street really," she said. "You do get fights, but it when a lot of intoxicated people are around that kind of thing will happen."

Others, however, were less shocked by the figures. "I'm not surprised at all," said 22-year-old Rachel Williams, who also works on Wind Street. "You get some men who look like they are only out for a fight."

"The concentration of bars on the street is horrendous and there are so many that sell shots for £1," she added.

"The drinks are so cheap and that fuels the situation. If you look out on to the street on a Bank Holiday it looks like Faliraki."