CRIME has risen over the last year in Cheshire, official police records reveal, but less than other areas of the north west.

Cheshire Constabulary recorded 28,539 offences in Cheshire West and Chester in the 12 months to March, according to the Office for National Statistics.

That was an increase of 12 per cent compared to the previous year.

In Cheshire East, 22,506 offences were recorded in the 12 months to March.

However, at 83 (Cheshire West) and 58.2 (Cheshire East) crimes per 1,000 people, these are both lower than the rate across England and Wales, which stood at 89.3.

Supporting the Government’s crime reduction ambition, Cheshire Constabulary has seen the highest reduction rate in homicides in the UK and has the lowest rate of murder in the country.

The figures also reveal that the force has seen a 5.3 per cent reduction in the number of burglaries and a 19.7 per cent reduction in the number of drugs offences.

Of other crimes recorded in the area over the last 12 months, 1,168 were sexual offences in Cheshire West – an increase of 38 per cent from the year before.

Meanwhile, violent crime has risen in the area, from 11,789 to 13,372 over this period.

And theft offences rose by 11 per cent, with 5,111 incidents recorded in the 12 months to March.

At 14.9 crimes per 1,000 people, that was far lower than the rate across England and Wales, which stood at 25.1.

Of the crimes recorded in Cheshire East in the last 12 months, 950 were sexual offences – an increase of 42 per cent from the year before.

Violent crime has also risen, from 9,389 to 10,377.

Theft offences rose by two per cent, with 4,707 incidents recorded.

At 12.2 crimes per 1,000 people, that was also lower than the rate across England and Wales.

John Dwyer, police and crime commissioner for Cheshire said: “In Cheshire we are making progress in preventing and tackling the most serious crimes, in line with my Police and Crime Plan.

“I want people to have improved confidence in policing.

"The fact that we have the lowest murder rate in the country, alongside fewer burglaries and drug offences, means people can have confidence that the police are focusing on the issues that matter to them.

“The headline figures regarding reporting of sexual offences and rape are concerning at first glance, however it’s vital that people also have the confidence to report their experience to the police.

“As one of the best-performing forces in the country for securing serious sexual offence charges, people can be assured of our determination to deliver justice for victims."